Multilayered polyolefin-based films having integrated backsheet and encapsulation performance comprising a layer comprising crystalline block copolymer composite or block copolymer composite

ABSTRACT

A multilayer film structure comprising a top encapsulation layer A, a tie Layer B between top Layer A and bottom Layer C and a bottom layer C, the multilayer film structure characterized in that tie Layer B comprises a crystalline block composite resin or a block composite resin and bottom Layer C comprises a polyolefin having at least one melting point greater than 125° C.

This application claims priority from copending provisional U.S. Patent application 61/503,326 filed Jun. 30, 2011 having the same title as this application; from copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/570,464 filed Dec. 14, 2011 entitled, “FUNCTIONALIZED BLOCK COMPOSITE AND CRYSTALLINE BLOCK COMPOSITE COMPOSITIONS AS COMPATIBILIZERS” and from copending United States patent application filed Dec. 14, 2011 Ser. No. 61/570,340 entitled, “FUNCTIONALIZED BLOCK COMPOSITE AND CRYSTALLINE BLOCK COMPOSITE COMPOSITIONS”. This application is related to commonly assigned and copending U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 61/503,335 filed the same date herewith and entitled “MULTILAYERED POLYOLEFIN-BASED FILMS HAVING A LAYER COMPRISING A CRYSTALLINE BLOCK COPOLYMER COMPOSITE OR A BLOCK COPOLYMER COMPOSITE” and claiming priority from provisional U.S. Patent application 61/503,335.

This invention relates to films having a crystalline block copolymer composite or block copolymer composite layer and having improved combinations of properties; being particularly suited for use as an integrated or combined protective backsheet and encapsulation layer in electronic device (ED) modules, e.g., photovoltaic (PV) modules. In one aspect, the invention relates to the backsheet/encapsulation films for use in such modules. In another aspect, the invention relates to co-extruded, multilayered films of this type. In still another aspect, the invention relates to the ED module incorporating such a backsheet/encapsulation film.

Thermoplastic polymeric material films, often referred to as plastic films, are commonly used as layers in the manufacture of modules or assemblies comprising one or more electronic devices including, but not limited to, solar cells (also known as photovoltaic (PV) cells), liquid crystal panels, electro-luminescent devices and plasma display units. The modules often comprise an electronic device in combination with one or more substrates or layers, often positioned between two substrates or layers, in which one or both of the substrates comprise, as support(s), glass, metal, plastic, rubber or another material. The terminology for the names and descriptions of the ED component layers varies somewhat between different writers and different producers but polymeric film materials are typically used as internally located “encapsulant” or “sealant” layers for the device itself or, depending upon the design of the device, as outer “cover” or “skin” layer components of the module.

PV modules are well known in the art, and typically comprise the following layer components that are assembled into the final module structure:

-   -   1. a stiff or flexible transparent cover layer,     -   2. a front transparent encapsulant,     -   3. a PV (solar) cell,     -   4. a rear encapsulant (typically the same composition as the         front encapsulant) and     -   5. a backsheet.         Another possible PV module design using a backsheet layer is:     -   1. a stiff transparent cover layer such as glass     -   2. a cell material deposited onto the stiff transparent cover         layer     -   3. an encapsulant layer     -   5. a backsheet

The present invention is concerned with improved integrated backsheet films or film layers that utilize a crystalline block copolymer composite or block copolymer composite layer and combine the functions (relative to a conventional PV module structure) of a rear encapsulant layer with the backsheet layer and in turn provide improved PV modules in terms of cost effectiveness and performance. Backsheet layers, as discussed in more detail below, protect the back surface of the cell and may have additional features that enhance the performance of the PV module.

Examples of some of the types of backsheet products that are currently in commercial use are TPE-type structures (a PVF/PET/EVA laminate) available from Madico, and Icosolar 2442 (a PVF/PET/PVF laminate) available from Isovolta; and PPE-type structures (PET/PET/EVA) structure available from Dunmore. A number of proposed improved and enhanced backsheets are also disclosed including the following.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,521,825 solar cell module backsheet layers are disclosed having two heat and weather resistant layers with a moisture resistant core layer.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,713,636B2 multi-layer films comprising propylene-based polymers are disclosed having improved peel strength properties and comprising a core layer and a first tie layer made from at least 5 wt % of a grafted propylene-based polymer.

WO 2010/053936 discloses backsheet layers for electronic device (ED) modules, e.g., photovoltaic (PV) modules, having at least three layers including a tie layer of a glycidyl methacrylate graft resin joining layers that each use a maleic anhydride modified resin (MAH-m resin) in each of the joined layers to provide good interlayer adhesion.

US 2011/0048512 discloses backsheet layers for electronic device (ED) modules, e.g., photovoltaic (PV) modules, comprising a coextruded multilayer sheet that comprises: i) an inner layer comprising a polyolefin resin; ii) a core layer comprising a polypropylene resin, a blend of a polypropylene resin and a maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAH-g-PP), or a polypropylene resin/MAH-g-PP multilayer structure; iii) an outer layer comprising a maleic anhydride grafted polyvinylidene fluoride (MAH-g-PVDF), a blend of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and a MAH-g-PVDF, or a PVDF/MAH-g-PVDF multilayer structure; iv) a first tie layer between the core layer and the outer layer; and v) an optional second tie layer between the core layer and the inner layer.

In WO/2011/009568 there are disclosed photovoltaic module backsheets on base of preferably high molecular weight, impact resistant, shrinkage and thermal (flow) resistant FPP (Flexible Polypropylene) compositions preferably containing functional particles or being coextruded with a primer adhesive layer to obtain highly reliable adhesion on EVA adhesive layers. In one embodiment, the backsheet has a functionalized polyolefin (PO) adhesive layer allowing direct adhesion to cells back-contacts, i.e. without the use of an EVA adhesive layer. In a further embodiment, the backsheet, with functional PO adhesive layer, allows the use of an upper adhesive layer which has a transparent thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) film layer.

Noting the issues and limitations involved with the use of the prior art components in electronic devices such as PV modules, there is always a continuing desire for improved and lower cost electronic devices such as PV modules that can be obtained by use of improved components in their construction. One particular improvement that is thought to increase lifetime of PV modules is better interlayer adhesion of integrated backsheet sufficient in magnitude to substantially reduce or eliminate interlayer failure, i.e., delamination, between backsheet layers in PV modules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, according the present invention there is provided a multilayer film structure comprising a top encapsulation Layer A, a bottom Layer C and a tie Layer B between Layer A and Layer C, the multilayer film structure characterized in that Layer B comprises a crystalline block copolymer composite (CBC) or a specified block copolymer composite (BC), comprising: i) an ethylene polymer (EP) comprising at least 40 mol % polymerized ethylene; ii) an alpha-olefin-based crystalline polymer (CAOP) and iii) a block copolymer comprising (a) an ethylene polymer block comprising at least 40 mol % polymerized ethylene and (b) a crystalline alpha-olefin block (CAOB), or a mixture of said composite(s); and bottom Layer C comprises a polyolefin having at least one melting point greater than 125° C. In a number of the alternative embodiments related to the selection of block composite resins there are provided such film structures where the i) EP in tie Layer B comprises at least 80 mol % polymerized ethylene and the balance polymerized propylene; the block composite resin in tie Layer B is a crystalline block composite resin; the tie Layer B block composite resin has a CAOB amount (in part (iii)) in the range of from 30 to 70 weight % of the CAOB, preferably in the range of from 40 to 60 weight % of the CAOB and/or tie Layer B comprises a CBC having a CBCI of between 0.3 to 1.0 or a specified BC having a BCI of between 0.1 to 1.0.

Alternatively, in Layer B in such films, propylene is the alpha-olefin in ii) and iii) in tie Layer B and the CAOP is a copolymer of propylene and ethylene; tie Layer B comprises a blend comprising greater than 40 weight percent CBC or specified BC, such blend preferably further comprising one or more polyolefin selected from an ethylene octene copolymer plastomers or elastomer, LLDPE and LDPE; and/or the CBC or specified BC of Layer B has a melt flow rate of from 3 to 15 g/10 min (at 230° C./2.16 Kg).

Alternatively in a further embodiment, the invention is a multilayer film structure as described above in which the top encapsulation Layer A comprises an ethylene octene copolymer plastomers or elastomer, preferably a silane-graft containing ethylene octene copolymer.

Further alternative embodiments include such films as described above wherein the bottom Layer C comprises a propylene-based polymer, preferably a propylene-based polymer having a heat of fusion value of at least 60 Joules per gram (J/g).

In one embodiment the present invention is such a multilayer film structure comprising a top encapsulation Layer A comprising a silane-graft-containing ethylene alpha olefin copolymer, a bottom Layer C comprising a propylene-based polymer and a tie Layer B between Layer A and Layer C comprising a crystalline block copolymer composite (CBC) comprising i) an ethylene polymer (EP) comprising at least 93 mol % polymerized ethylene; ii) a crystalline propylene polymer and iii) a block copolymer comprising (a) an ethylene polymer block comprising at least 93 mol % polymerized ethylene and (b) a crystalline propylene polymer block and preferably the Layer B is a blend further comprising one or more polyolefin selected from an ethylene octene copolymer plastomers or elastomer, LLDPE and LDPE.

In another embodiment of the present invention such multilayer film structures according to claim 1 have a thickness of from 0.2 to 1.5 mm wherein Layer A is from 0.15 to 1.25 mm in thickness; Layer B is from 10 to 150 μm in thickness; and Layer C is from 150 to 375 μm in thickness.

Another embodiment includes electronic device (ED) modules comprising an electronic device and such films as described herein. A further embodiment is a lamination process to construct a laminated PV module comprising the steps of:

-   -   (1.) bringing at least the following layers into facial contact         in the following order:         -   (a) a light-receiving top sheet layer having an exterior             light-receiving facial surface and an interior facial             surface;         -   (b) a light transmitting thermoplastic polymer encapsulation             layer, having one facial surface directed toward the top             sheet layer and one directed toward a light-reactive surface             of a PV cell;         -   (c) a PV cell having a light reactive surface;         -   (d) a backsheet layer comprising a multilayer film structure             according to Claim 1; and     -   (2.) heating and compressing the layers of Step (1.) at         conditions sufficient to create the needed adhesion between the         layers and, if needed in some layers or materials, initiation of         their crosslinking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary PV module having a three-layer integrated backsheet in adhering contact with the back surface of an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One of the important features of the films of the present invention is use of a tie layer that comprises a block composite comprising: i) an ethylene-based polymer; ii) an alpha-olefin-based crystalline polymer (which is preferably based on propylene) and iii) a block copolymer comprising an ethylene block and a crystalline alpha-olefin (preferably propylene) block. In discussing the polymer components of the film layers and films of present invention there are several terms that are frequently used and are defined and understood as follows.

Polymer Resins Descriptions and Terms

“Composition” and like terms mean a mixture of two or more materials, such as a polymer which is blended with other polymers or which contains additives, fillers, or the like. Included in compositions are pre-reaction, reaction and post-reaction mixtures the latter of which will include reaction products and by-products as well as unreacted components of the reaction mixture and decomposition products, if any, formed from the one or more components of the pre-reaction or reaction mixture.

“Blend”, “polymer blend” and like terms mean a composition of two or more polymers. Such a blend may or may not be miscible. Such a blend may or may not be phase separated. Such a blend may or may not contain one or more domain configurations, as determined from transmission electron spectroscopy, light scattering, x-ray scattering, and any other method known in the art. Blends are not laminates, but one or more layers of a laminate may contain a blend.

“Polymer” means a compound prepared by polymerizing monomers, whether of the same or a different type. The generic term polymer thus embraces the term homopolymer, usually employed to refer to polymers prepared from only one type of monomer, and the term interpolymer as defined below. It also embraces all forms of interpolymers, e.g., random, block, etc. The terms “ethylene/α-olefin polymer” and “propylene/α-olefin polymer” are indicative of interpolymers as described below. It is noted that although a polymer is often referred to as being “made of” monomers, “based on” a specified monomer or monomer type, “containing” a specified monomer content, or the like, this is obviously understood to be referring to the polymerized remnant of the specified monomer and not to the unpolymerized species.

“Interpolymer” means a polymer prepared by the polymerization of at least two different monomers. This generic term includes copolymers, usually employed to refer to polymers prepared from two or more different monomers, and includes polymers prepared from more than two different monomers, e.g., terpolymers, tetrapolymers, etc.

“Polyolefin”, “polyolefin polymer”, “polyolefin resin” and like terms mean a polymer produced from a simple olefin (also called an alkene with the general formula C_(n)H_(2n)) as a monomer. Polyethylene is produced by polymerizing ethylene with or without one or more comonomers, polypropylene by polymerizing propylene with or without one or more comonomers, etc. Thus, polyolefins include interpolymers such as ethylene/α-olefin copolymers, propylene/α-olefin copolymers, etc.

“(Meth)” indicates that the methyl substituted compound is included in the term. For example, the term “ethylene-glycidyl(meth)acrylate” includes ethylene-glycidyl acrylate (E-GA) and ethylene-glycidyl methacrylate (E-GMA), individually and collectively.

“Melting Point” as used here (also referred to a melting peak in reference to the shape of the plotted DSC curve) is typically measured by the DSC (Differential Scanning calorimetry) technique for measuring the melting points or peaks of polyolefins as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,638. It should be noted that many blends comprising two or more polyolefins will have more than one melting point or peak, many individual polyolefins will comprise only one melting point or peak.

Layer C—High Melting Point Polyolefin Resins

The polyolefin resins useful in the bottom layer or Layer C of the backsheet have a melting point of at least 125° C., preferably greater than 130 C, preferably greater than 140° C., more preferably greater than 150° C. and even more preferably greater than 160° C. These polyolefin resins are preferably propylene-based polymers, commonly referred to as polypropylenes. These polyolefins are preferably made with multi-site catalysts, e.g., Zeigler-Natta and Phillips catalysts. In general, polyolefin resins with a melting point of at least 125° C. often exhibit desirable toughness properties useful in the protection of the electronic device of the module.

Regarding polyolefin resins in general, such as suitable for Layer C or for other polymer components of the present invention, the sole monomer (or the primary monomer in the case of interpolymers) is typically selected from ethylene, propene (propylene), 1-butene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, and 1-octadecene and is preferably propylene for the Layer C polyolefin resin. If the polyolefin resin is an interpolymer, then the comonomer(s) different from the first or primary monomer is/are typically one or more α-olefins. For purposes of this invention, ethylene is an α-olefin if propylene or higher olefin is the primary monomer. The co-α-olefin is then preferably a different C₂₋₂₀ linear, branched or cyclic α-olefin. Examples of C₂₋₂₀ α-olefins for use as comonomers include ethylene, propene (propylene), 1-butene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, and 1-octadecene. The α-olefins for use as comonomers can also contain a cyclic structure such as cyclohexane or cyclopentane, resulting in an α-olefin such as 3-cyclohexyl-1-propene (allyl cyclohexane) and vinyl cyclohexane. Although not α-olefins in the classical sense of the term, for purposes of this invention certain cyclic olefins, such as norbornene and related olefins are α-olefins and can be used as comonomer in place of some or all of the α-olefins described above. Similarly, styrene and its related olefins (for example, α-methylstyrene, etc.) are α-olefins for purposes of comonomers according to this invention. Acrylic and methacrylic acid and their respective ionomers, and acrylates and methacrylates are also comonomer α-olefins for purposes of this invention. Illustrative polyolefin copolymers include but are not limited to ethylene/propylene, ethylene/butene, ethylene/1-hexene, ethylene/1-octene, ethylene/styrene, ethylene/acrylic acid (EAA), ethylene/methacrylic acid (EMA), ethylene/acrylate or methacrylate, EVA and the like. Illustrative terpolymers include ethylene/propylene/1-octene, ethylene/propylene/butene, ethylene/butene/1-octene, and ethylene/butene/styrene. The copolymers can be random or blocky.

The high melting point polyolefin resins (having a melting point of at least 125° C.), that are useful in the present invention and preferred for use as all or most of bottom layer Layer C in the practice of this invention include propylene-based polymers, also referred to as propylene polymers or polypropylenes, including e.g., polypropylene or propylene copolymers comprising a majority of units derived from propylene and a minority of units derived from another α-olefin (including ethylene). These propylene-based polymers include polypropylene homopolymer, copolymers of propylene and one or more other olefin monomers, a blend of two or more homopolymers or two or more copolymers, and a blend of one or more homopolymer with one or more copolymer, as long as it has a melting point of 125° C. or more. The polypropylene-based polymers can vary widely in form and include, for example, substantially isotactic propylene homopolymer, random propylene copolymers, and graft or block propylene copolymers.

The propylene copolymers comprise at least 85, more typically at least 87 and even more typically at least 90, mole percent units derived from propylene. The remainder of the units in the propylene copolymer is derived from units of at least one α-olefin having up to 20, preferably up to 12 and more preferably up to 8, carbon atoms. The α-olefin is preferably ethylene or a C₃₋₂₀ linear, branched or cyclic α-olefin as described above.

The following are illustrative but non-limiting propylene polymers that can be used in the backsheets of this invention: a propylene impact copolymer including but not limited to former DOW Polypropylene T702-12N; a propylene homopolymer including but not limited to former DOW Polypropylene H502-25RZ; and a propylene random copolymer including but not limited to former DOW Polypropylene R751-12N. It should be noted that the propylene polymer products above and other that were formerly available from The Dow Chemical Company may now be available from Braskem or correspond to products available from Braskem. Other polypropylenes include some of the VERSIFY® polymers formerly available from The Dow Chemical Company, the VISTAMAXX® polymers available from ExxonMobil Chemical Company, and the PRO-FAX polymers available from Lyondell Basell Industries, e.g., PROFAX™SR-256M, which is a clarified propylene copolymer resin with a density of 0.90 g/cc and a MFR of 2 g/10 min, PROFAX™8623, which is an impact propylene copolymer resin with a density of 0.90 g/cc and a MFR of 1.5 g/10 min. Still other propylene resins include CATALLOY™ in-reactor blends of polypropylene (homo- or copolymer) with one or more of propylene-ethylene or ethylene-propylene copolymer (all available from Basell, Elkton, Md.), Shell's KF 6100 propylene homopolymer; Solvay's KS 4005 propylene copolymer; and Solvay's KS 300 propylene terpolymer. Furthermore, INSPIRE™ D114, which is a branched impact copolymer polypropylene with a melt flow rate (MFR) of 0.5 dg/min (230° C./2.16 kg) and a melting point of 164° C. would be a suitable polypropylene. In general, preferred propylene polymer resins include homopolymer polypropylenes, preferably high crystallinity polypropylene such as high stiffness and toughness polypropylenes including but not limited to INSPIRE™ 404 with an MFR of 3 dg/min, and INSPIRE™ D118.01 with a melt flow rate of 8.0 dg/min (230° C./2.16 kg), (both also formerly available from The Dow Chemical Company). Preferably the propylene polymer MFR (230° C./2.16 kg, dg/min) is at least 0.5, preferably at least 1.5, and more preferably at least 2.5 dg/min and less than or equal to 25, preferably less than or equal to 20, and most preferably less than or equal to 18.

In general, preferred propylene polymer resins for Layer C have heat of fusion values (reflecting the relatively higher crystallinity) as measured by DSC of at least 60 Joules per gram (J/g), more preferably at least 90 J/g, still more preferably at least 110 J/g and most preferably at least 120 J/g. For the heat of fusion measurements, the DSC is run under nitrogen at 10° C./min from 23° C. to 220° C., held isothermal at 220° C., dropped to 23° C. at 10° C./min and ramped back to 220° C. at 10° C./min. The second heat data is used to calculate the heat of fusion of the melting transition.

Propylene polymer blend resins can also be used where polypropylene resins as described above can be blended or diluted with one or more other polymers, including polyolefins as described below, to the extent that the other polymer is (i) miscible or compatible with the polypropylene, (ii) has little, if any, deleterious impact on the desirable properties of the polypropylene, e.g., optics and low modulus, and (iii) the polypropylene constitutes at least 55, preferably at least 60, more preferably at least 65 and still more preferably at least 70, weight percent of the blend. The propylene polymer can be also be blended with cyclic olefin copolymers such as Topas 6013F-04 cyclic olefin copolymer available from Topas Advanced Polymers, Inc. with preferred amounts when used between 2, 4, and 8 weight percent to between 40, 35 and 30 weight percents. In general, preferred propylene polymer resins for Layer C comprise an impact modifier such as ethylene octene plastomers such as AFFINITY PL 1880G, PL8100G, and PL 1850G brand resins or ethylene octene elastomers such as ENGAGE 8842, ENGAGE 8150, and ENGAGE XLT 8677 brand resins commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company, olefin block copolymers such as for example INFUSE 9100 and 9107 brand resins commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company or propylene based elastomers such as VERSIFY 2300 and VERSIFY 3300 brand resins available from Braskem. In general, these are used in amounts at least of 2 weight percent, preferably at least 5 and more preferably at least 8 weight percent and preferably less than 45, 40 and 35 weight percents Other candidate impact modification or blend resins are ethylene/propylene rubbers (optionally blended with polypropylene in-reactor) and one or more crystalline block copolymer composite or block copolymer composites as described herein. Combinations of impact modifiers of different types may also be used.

Other additives that could be used with the propylene polymer resins are inorganic fillers such as talc or epoxy coated talc, colorants, flame retardants (halogenated and non-halogenated) and flame retardant synergists such as Sb₂O₃.

Layer B Crystalline Block Copolymer Composite or Block Copolymer Composite Resin Components

According to the present invention, it has been found that the use as a tie layer of certain types of new crystalline block copolymer composites (CBC's) or block copolymer composites (BC's) provides improved film structures and films. The use of the layer comprising the specified CBC and/or BC provides improved combinations of adhesive and other physical properties in multilayer film structures that can provide both backsheet and encapsulation layer performance in assembling laminate electronic device modules.

The term “block copolymer” or “segmented copolymer” refers to a polymer comprising two or more chemically distinct regions or segments (referred to as “blocks”) joined in a linear manner, that is, a polymer comprising chemically differentiated units which are joined (covalently bonded) end-to-end with respect to polymerized functionality, rather than in pendent or grafted fashion. In a preferred embodiment, the blocks differ in the amount or type of comonomer incorporated therein, the density, the amount of crystallinity, the type of crystallinity (e.g. polyethylene versus polypropylene), the crystallite size attributable to a polymer of such composition, the type or degree of tacticity (isotactic or syndiotactic), regio-regularity or regio-irregularity, the amount of branching, including long chain branching or hyper-branching, the homogeneity, or any other chemical or physical property. The block copolymers of the invention are characterized by unique distributions of both polymer polydispersity (PDI or Mw/Mn) and block length distribution, due to the effect of shuttling agent(s) in combination with the catalyst(s) employed in their preparation.

As used herein, the terms “block composite” (“BC”), “block copolymer composite resin,” “block copolymer composite” and the like refer to a polymer comprising (i) a soft ethylene copolymer, polymerized units in which the comonomer content is greater than 10 mol % and less than 90 mol % and preferably greater than 20 mol % and less than 80 mol %, and most preferably greater than 33 mol % and less than 75 mol %, (ii) a hard or crystalline α-olefin polymer (CAOP), in which the α-olefin monomer (preferably propylene) is present in an amount of from greater than 90 up to 100 mol percent, and preferably greater than 93 mol percent, and more preferably greater than 95 mol percent, and most preferably greater than 98 mol percent and (iii) a block copolymer, preferably a diblock, having (a) a soft segment and (b) a hard segment, wherein the hard segment of the block copolymer is essentially the same composition as the hard polymer in the block composite and the soft segment of the block copolymer is essentially the same composition as the soft copolymer of the block composite. The block copolymers can be linear or branched. More specifically, when produced in a continuous process, the block composites desirably possess PDI from 1.7 to 15, preferably from 1.8 to 3.5, more preferably from 1.8 to 2.2, and most preferably from 1.8 to 2.1. When produced in a batch or semi-batch process, the block composites desirably possess PDI from 1.0 to 2.9, preferably from 1.3 to 2.5, more preferably from 1.4 to 2.0, and most preferably from 1.4 to 1.8. Such block composites are described in, for example, US Patent Application Publication Nos US2011-0082257, US2011-0082258 and US2011-0082249, all published on Apr. 7, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference with respect to descriptions of the block composites, processes to make them and methods of analyzing them.

The term “crystalline block composite” (CBC) (including the terms “crystalline block copolymer composite”, “crystalline block copolymer composite resin” and the like) refers to polymers comprising (i) a crystalline ethylene based polymer (CEP), (ii) a crystalline alpha-olefin based polymer (CAOP), and (iii) a block copolymer having (a) a crystalline ethylene block (CEB) and (b) a crystalline alpha-olefin block (CAGB), wherein the CEB of the block copolymer is essentially the same composition as the CEP in the block composite and the CAOB of the block copolymer is essentially the same composition as the CAOP of the block composite. Additionally, the compositional split between the amount of CEP and CAOP will be essentially the same as that between the corresponding blocks in the block copolymer. The block copolymers can be linear or branched. More specifically, each of the respective block segments can contain long chain branches, but the block copolymer segment is substantially linear as opposed to containing grafted or branched blocks. When produced in a continuous process, the crystalline block composites desirably possess PDI from 1.7 to 15, preferably 1.8 to 10, preferably from 1.8 to 5, more preferably from 1.8 to 3.5. Such crystalline block composites are described in, for example, the following filed patent applications: PCT/US11/41189; U.S. Ser. No. 13/165,054; PCT/US11/41191; U.S. Ser. No. 13/165,073; PCT/US11/41194; and U.S. Ser. No. 13/165,096; all filed on 21 Jun. 2011 and incorporated herein by reference with respect to descriptions of the crystalline block composites, processes to make them and methods of analyzing them.

CAOB refers to highly crystalline blocks of polymerized alpha olefin units in which the monomer is present in an amount greater than 90 mol %, preferably greater than 93 mol percent, more preferably greater than 95 mol percent, and preferably greater than 96 mol percent. In other words, the comonomer content in the CAOBs is less than 10 mol percent, and preferably less than 7 mol percent, and more preferably less than 5 mol percent, and most preferably less than 4 mol %. CAOBs with propylene crystallinity have corresponding melting points that are 80° C. and above, preferably 100° C. and above, more preferably 115° C. and above, and most preferably 120° C. and above. In some embodiments, the CAOB comprise all or substantially all propylene units. CEB, on the other hand, refers to blocks of polymerized ethylene units in which the comonomer content is 10 mol % or less, preferably between 0 mol % and 10 mol %, more preferably between 0 mol % and 7 mol % and most preferably between 0 mol % and 5 mol %. Such CEB have corresponding melting points that are preferably 75° C. and above, more preferably 90° C., and 100° C. and above.

“Hard” segments refer to highly crystalline blocks of polymerized units in which the monomer is present in an amount greater than 90 mol percent, and preferably greater than 93 mol percent, and more preferably greater than 95 mol percent, and most preferably greater than 98 mol percent. In other words, the comonomer content in the hard segments is most preferably less than 2 mol percent, and more preferably less than 5 mol percent, and preferably less than 7 mol percent, and less than 10 mol percent. In some embodiments, the hard segments comprise all or substantially all propylene units. “Soft” segments, on the other hand, refer to amorphous, substantially amorphous or elastomeric blocks of polymerized units in which the comonomer content is greater than 10 mol % and less than 90 mol % and preferably greater than 20 mol % and less than 80 mol %, and most preferably greater than 33 mol % and less than 75 mol %.

The block composite and crystalline block composite polymers are preferably prepared by a process comprising contacting an addition polymerizable monomer or mixture of monomers under addition polymerization conditions with a composition comprising at least one addition polymerization catalyst, a cocatalyst and a chain shuttling agent, said process being characterized by formation of at least some of the growing polymer chains under differentiated process conditions in two or more reactors operating under steady state polymerization conditions or in two or more zones of a reactor operating under plug flow polymerization conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the block composites of the invention comprise a fraction of block polymer which possesses a most probable distribution of block lengths.

Suitable processes useful in producing the block composites and crystalline block composites may be found, for example, in US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0269412, published on Oct. 30, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference.

When producing a block polymer having a crystalline ethylene block (CEB) and a crystalline alpha-olefin block (CAOB) in two reactors or zones it is possible to produce the CEB in the first reactor or zone and the CAOB in the second reactor or zone or to produce the CAOB in the first reactor or zone and the CEB in the second reactor or zone. It is more advantageous to produce CEB in the first reactor or zone with fresh chain shuttling agent added. The presence of increased levels of ethylene in the reactor or zone producing CEB will typically lead to much higher molecular weight in that reactor or zone than in the zone or reactor producing CAOB. The fresh chain shuttling agent will reduce the MW of polymer in the reactor or zone producing CEB thus leading to better overall balance between the length of the CEB and CAOB segments.

When operating reactors or zones in series it is necessary to maintain diverse reaction conditions such that one reactor produces CEB and the other reactor produces CAOB. Carryover of ethylene from the first reactor to the second reactor (in series) or from the second reactor back to the first reactor through a solvent and monomer recycle system is preferably minimized. There are many possible unit operations to remove this ethylene, but because ethylene is more volatile than higher alpha olefins one simple way is to remove much of the unreacted ethylene through a flash step by reducing the pressure of the effluent of the reactor producing CEB and flashing off the ethylene. A more preferable approach is to avoid additional unit operations and to utilize the much greater reactivity of ethylene versus higher alpha olefins such that the conversion of ethylene across the CEB reactor approaches 100%. The overall conversion of monomers across the reactors can be controlled by maintaining the alpha olefin conversion at a high level (90 to 95%).

Suitable catalysts and catalyst precursors for use in the present invention include metal complexes such as disclosed in WO2005/090426, in particular, those disclosed starting on page 20, line 30 through page 53, line 20, which is herein incorporated by reference. Suitable catalysts are also disclosed in US 2006/0199930; US 2007/0167578; US 2008/0311812; U.S. Pat. No. 7,355,089 B2; or WO 2009/012215, which are herein incorporated by reference with respect to catalysts.

Preferably, the block composite polymers comprise propylene, 1-butene or 4-methyl-1-pentene and one or more comonomers. Preferably, the block polymers of the block composites comprise in polymerized form propylene and ethylene and/or one or more C₄₋₂₀ α-olefin comonomers, and/or one or more additional copolymerizable comonomers or they comprise 4-methyl-1-pentene and ethylene and/or one or more C₄₋₂₀ α-olefin comonomers, or they comprise 1-butene and ethylene, propylene and/or one or more C₅-C₂₀ α-olefin comonomers and/or one or more additional copolymerizable comonomers. Additional suitable comonomers are selected from diolefins, cyclic olefins, and cyclic diolefins, halogenated vinyl compounds, and vinylidene aromatic compounds.

Comonomer content in the resulting block composite polymers may be measured using any suitable technique, with techniques based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy preferred. It is highly desirable that some or all of the polymer blocks comprise amorphous or relatively amorphous polymers such as copolymers of propylene, 1-butene or 4-methyl-1-pentene and a comonomer, especially random copolymers of propylene, 1-butene or 4-methyl-1-pentene with ethylene, and any remaining polymer blocks (hard segments), if any, predominantly comprise propylene, 1-butene or 4-methyl-1-pentene in polymerized form. Preferably such segments are highly crystalline or stereospecific polypropylene, polybutene or poly-4-methyl-1-pentene, especially isotactic homopolymers.

Further preferably, the block copolymers of the block composite comprise from 10 to 90 weight percent crystalline or relatively hard segments and 90 to 10 weight percent amorphous or relatively amorphous segments (soft segments), preferably from 20 to 80 weight percent crystalline or relatively hard segments and 80 to 20 weight percent amorphous or relatively amorphous segments (soft segments), most preferably from 30 to 70 weight percent crystalline or relatively hard segments and 70 to 30 weight percent amorphous or relatively amorphous segments (soft segments). Within the soft segments, the mole percent comonomer may range from 10 to 90 mole percent, preferably from 20 to 80 mole percent, and most preferably from 33 to 75 mol % percent. In the case wherein the comonomer is ethylene, it is preferably present in an amount of 10 mol % to 90 mol %, more preferably from 20 mol % to 80 mol %, and most preferably from 33 mol % to 75 mol % percent. Preferably, the copolymers comprise hard segments that are 90 mol % to 100 mol % propylene. The hard segments can be greater than 90 mol % preferably greater than 93 mol % and more preferably greater than 95 mol % propylene, and most preferably greater than 98 mol % propylene. Such hard segments have corresponding melting points that are 80° C. and above, preferably 100° C. and above, more preferably 115° C. and above, and most preferably 120° C. and above.

In some embodiments, the block composites of the invention have a Block Composite Index (BCI), as defined below, that is greater than zero but less than 0.4 or from 0.1 to 0.3. In other embodiments, BCI is greater than 0.4 and up to 1.0. Additionally, the BCI can be in the range of from 0.4 to 0.7, from 0.5 to 0.7, or from 0.6 to 0.9. In some embodiments, BCI is in the range of from 0.3 to 0.9, from 0.3 to 0.8, or from 0.3 to 0.7, from 0.3 to 0.6, from 0.3 to 0.5, or from 0.3 to 0.4. In other embodiments, BCI is in the range of from 0.4 to 1.0, from 0.5 to 1.0, or from 0.6 to 1.0, from 0.7 to 1.0, from 0.8 to 1.0, or from 0.9 to 1.0.

The block composites preferably have a Tm greater than 100° C., preferably greater than 120° C., and more preferably greater than 125° C. Preferably the MFR of the block composite is from 0.1 to 1000 dg/min, more preferably from 0.1 to 50 dg/min and more preferably from 0.1 to 30 dg/min.

Further preferably, the block composites of this embodiment of the invention have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) from 10,000 to 2,500,000, preferably from 35000 to 1,000,000 and more preferably from 50,000 to 300,000, preferably from 50,000 to 200,000.

Preferably, the block composite polymers of the invention comprise ethylene, propylene, 1-butene or 4-methyl-1-pentene and optionally one or more comonomers in polymerized form. Preferably, the block copolymers of the crystalline block composites comprise in polymerized form ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, or 4-methyl-1-pentene and optionally one or more C₄₋₂₀ α-olefin comonomers. Additional suitable comonomers are selected from diolefins, cyclic olefins, and cyclic diolefins, halogenated vinyl compounds, and vinylidene aromatic compounds.

Comonomer content in the resulting block composite polymers may be measured using any suitable technique, with techniques based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy preferred.

Preferably the crystalline block composite polymers of the invention comprise from 0.5 to 95 wt % CEP, from 0.5 to 95 wt % CAOP and from 5 to 99 wt % block copolymer. More preferably, the crystalline block composite polymers comprise from 0.5 to 79 wt % CEP, from 0.5 to 79 wt % CAOP and from 20 to 99 wt % block copolymer and more preferably from 0.5 to 49 wt % CEP, from 0.5 to 49 wt % CAOP and from 50 to 99 wt % block copolymer. Weight percents are based on total weight of crystalline block composite. The sum of the weight percents of CEP, CAOP and block copolymer equals 100%.

Preferably, the block copolymers of the invention comprise from 5 to 95 weight percent crystalline ethylene blocks (CEB) and 95 to 5 wt percent crystalline alpha-olefin blocks (CAOB). They may comprise 10 wt % to 90 wt % CEB and 90 wt % to 10 wt % CAOB. More preferably, the block copolymers comprise 25 to 75 wt % CEB and 75 to 25 wt % CAOB, and even more preferably they comprise 30 to 70 wt % CEB and 70 to 30 wt % CAOB.

In some embodiments, the block composites of the invention have a Crystalline Block Composite Index (CBCI), as defined below, that is greater than zero but less than 0.4 or from 0.1 to 0.3. In other embodiments, CBCI is greater than 0.4 and up to 1.0. In some embodiments, the CBCI is in the range of from 0.1 to 0.9, from 0.1 to 0.8, from 0.1 to 0.7 or from 0.1 to 0.6. Additionally, the CBCI can be in the range of from 0.4 to 0.7, from 0.5 to 0.7, or from 0.6 to 0.9. In some embodiments, CBCI is in the range of from 0.3 to 0.9, from 0.3 to 0.8, or from 0.3 to 0.7, from 0.3 to 0.6, from 0.3 to 0.5, or from 0.3 to 0.4. In other embodiments, CBCI is in the range of from 0.4 to 1.0, from 0.5 to 1.0, or from 0.6 to 1.0, from 0.7 to 1.0, from 0.8 to 1.0, or from 0.9 to 1.0.

Further preferably, the crystalline block composites of this embodiment of the invention have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 1,000 to 2,500,000, preferably of 35000 to 1,000,000 and more preferably of 50,000 to 500,000, of 50,000 to 300,000, and preferably from 50,000 to 200,000.

The overall composition of each resin is determined as appropriate by DSC, NMR, Gel Permeation Chromatography, Dynamic Mechanical Spectroscopy, and/or Transmission Electron Micrography. Xylene fractionation and high temperature liquid chromatography (“HTLC”) fractionation can be further used to estimate the yield of block copolymer, and in particular the block composite index. These are described in more detail in US Patent Application Publication Nos US2011-0082257, US2011-0082258 and US2011-0082249, all published on Apr. 7, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference with respect to descriptions of the analysis methods.

For a block composite derived from ethylene and propylene, the insoluble fractions will contain an appreciable amount of ethylene that would not otherwise be present if the polymer was simply a blend of iPP homopolymer and EP copolymer. To account for this “extra ethylene”, a mass balance calculation can be performed to estimate a block composite index from the amount of xylene insoluble and soluble fractions and the weight % ethylene present in each of the fractions.

A summation of the weight % ethylene from each fraction according to equation 1 results in an overall weight % ethylene (in the polymer). This mass balance equation can also be used to quantify the amount of each component in a binary blend or extended to a ternary, or n-component blend.

Wt % C ₂ _(Overall) =w _(Insoluble)(wt % C ₂ _(Insoluble) )+w _(soluble)(wt % C ₂ _(soluble) )  Eq. 1

Applying equations 2 through 4, the amount of the soft block (providing the source of the extra ethylene) present in the insoluble fraction is calculated. By substituting the weight % C₂ of the insoluble fraction in the left hand side of equation 2, the weight % iPP hard and weight % EP soft can be calculated using equations 3 and 4. Note that the weight % of ethylene in the EP soft is set to be equal to the weight % ethylene in the xylene soluble fraction. The weight % ethylene in the iPP block is set to zero or if otherwise known from its DSC melting point or other composition measurement, the value can be put into its place.

$\begin{matrix} {{{Wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C_{2_{{Overall}\mspace{14mu} {or}\mspace{14mu} {xylene}\mspace{14mu} {insoluble}}}} = {{w_{iPPHard}\left( {{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C_{2_{iPP}}} \right)} + {w_{{EP}\mspace{14mu} {soft}}\left( {{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C_{2_{EPsoft}}} \right)}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 2} \\ {\mspace{79mu} {w_{iPPhard} = \frac{{{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C_{2_{{overall}\mspace{14mu} {or}\mspace{14mu} {xyleneinsoluble}}}} - {{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C_{2_{EPsoft}}}}{{{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C_{2_{iPPhard}}} - {{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C_{2_{EPsoft}}}}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 3} \\ {\mspace{79mu} {w_{EPsoft} = {1 - w_{iPPHard}}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4} \end{matrix}$

After accounting for the ‘additional’ ethylene present in the insoluble fraction, the only way to have an EP copolymer present in the insoluble fraction, the EP polymer chain must be connected to an iPP polymer block (or else it would have been extracted into the xylene soluble fraction). Thus, when the iPP block crystallizes, it prevents the EP block from solubilizing.

To estimate the block composite index, the relative amount of each block must be taken into account. To approximate this, the ratio between the EP soft and iPP hard is used. The ratio of the EP soft polymer and iPP hard polymer can be calculated using Equation 2 from the mass balance of the total ethylene measured in the polymer. Alternatively it could also be estimated from a mass balance of the monomer and comonomer consumption during the polymerization. The weight fraction of iPP hard and weight fraction of EP soft is calculated using Equation 2 and assumes the iPP hard contains no ethylene. The weight % ethylene of the EP soft is the amount of ethylene present in the xylene soluble fraction.

For example, if an iPP-EP block composite contains an overall ethylene content of 47 wt % C₂ and is made under conditions to produce an EP soft polymer with 67 wt % C₂ and an iPP homopolymer containing zero ethylene, the amount of EP soft and iPP hard is 70 wt % and 30 wt %, respectively (as calculated using Equations 3 and 4). If the percent of EP is 70 wt % and the iPP is 30 wt %, the relative ratio of the EP:iPP blocks could be expressed as 2.33:1.

Hence, if one skilled in the art carries out a xylene extraction of the polymer and recovers 40 wt % insoluble and 60 wt % soluble, this would be an unexpected result and this would lead to the conclusion that a fraction of block copolymer was present. If the ethylene content of the insoluble fraction is subsequently measured to be 25 wt % C₂, Equations 2 thru 4 can be solved to account for this additional ethylene and result in 37.3 wt % EP soft polymer and 62.7 wt % iPP hard polymer present in the insoluble fraction.

Since the insoluble fraction contains 37.3 wt % EP copolymer, it should be attached to an additional 16 wt % of iPP polymer based on the EP:iPP block ratio of 2.33:1. This brings the estimated amount of diblock in the insoluble fraction to be 53.3 wt %. For the entire polymer (unfractionated), the composition is described as 21.3 wt % iPP-EP Diblock, 18.7 wt % iPP polymer, and 60 wt % EP polymer. The term block composite index (BCI) is herein defined to equal the weight percentage of diblock divided by 100% (i.e. weight fraction). The value of the block composite index can range from 0 to 1, wherein 1 would be equal to 100% diblock and zero would be for a material such as a traditional blend or random copolymer. For the example described above, the block composite index for the block composite is 0.213. For the insoluble fraction, the BCI is 0.533, and for the soluble fraction the BCI is assigned a value of zero.

Depending on the estimations made of the total polymer composition and the error in the analytical measurements which are used to estimate the composition of the hard and soft blocks, between 5 to 10% relative error is possible in the computed value of the block composite index. Such estimations include the wt % C2 in the iPP hard block as measured from the DSC melting point, NMR analysis, or process conditions; the average wt % C2 in the soft block as estimated from the composition of the xylene solubles, or by NMR, or by DSC melting point of the soft block (if detected). But overall, the block composite index calculation reasonably accounts for the unexpected amount of ‘additional’ ethylene present in the insoluble fraction, the only way to have an EP copolymer present in the insoluble fraction, the EP polymer chain must be connected to an iPP polymer block (or else it would have been extracted into the xylene soluble fraction).

Crystalline block composites having CAOP and CAOB composed of crystalline polypropylene and a CEP and CEB composed of crystalline polyethylene cannot be fractionated by conventional means. Techniques based on solvent or temperature fractionation, for example, using xylene fractionation, solvent/non-solvent separation, temperature rising elution fractionation, or crystallization elution fractionation are not capable of resolving the block copolymer since the CEB and CAOB cocrystallize with the CEP and CAOP, respectively. However, using a method such as high temperature liquid chromatography which separates polymer chains using a combination of a mixed solvent/non-solvent and a graphitic column, crystalline polymer species such as polypropylene and polyethylene can be separated from each other and from the block copolymer.

For crystalline block composites, the amount of isolated PP is less than if the polymer was a simple blend of iPP homopolymer (in this example the CAOP) and polyethylene (in this case the CEP). Consequently, the polyethylene fraction contains an appreciable amount of propylene that would not otherwise be present if the polymer was simply a blend of iPP and polyethylene. To account for this “extra propylene”, a mass balance calculation can be performed to estimate a crystalline block composite index from the amount of the polypropylene and polyethylene fractions and the weight % propylene present in each of the fractions that are separated by HTLC. The polymers contained within the crystalline block composite include iPP-PE diblock, unbound iPP, and unbound PE where the individual PP or PE components can contain a minor amount of ethylene or propylene respectively.

A summation of the weight % propylene from each component in the polymer according to equation 1 results in the overall weight % propylene (of the whole polymer). This mass balance equation can be used to quantify the amount of the iPP and PE present in the diblock copolymer. This mass balance equation can also be used to quantify the amount of iPP and PE in a binary blend or extended to a ternary, or n-component blend. For the crystalline block composite, the overall amount of iPP or PE is contained within the blocks present in the diblock and the unbound iPP and PE polymers.

Wt % C3_(Overall) =w _(PP)(wt % C3_(PP))+w _(PE)(wt % C3_(PE))  Eq. 1

where w_(pp)=weight fraction of PP in the polymer w_(PE)=weight fraction of PE in the polymer wt % C3_(PP)=weight percent of propylene in PP component or block wt % C3_(PE)=weight percent of propylene in PE component or block

Note that the overall weight % of propylene (C3) is preferably measured from C13 NMR or some other composition measurement that represents the total amount of C3 present in the whole polymer. The weight % propylene in the iPP block (wt % C3_(PP)) is set to 100 or if otherwise known from its DSC melting point, NMR measurement, or other composition estimate, that value can be put into its place. Similarly, the weight % propylene in the PE block (wt % C3_(PE)) is set to 100 or if otherwise known from its DSC melting point, NMR measurement, or other composition estimate, that value can be put into its place.

Based on equation 1, the overall weight fraction of PP present in the polymer can be calculated using Equation 2 from the mass balance of the total C3 measured in the polymer. Alternatively, it could also be estimated from a mass balance of the monomer and comonomer consumption during the polymerization. Overall, this represents the amount of PP and PE present in the polymer regardless of whether it is present in the unbound components or in the diblock copolymer. For a conventional blend, the weight fraction of PP and weight fraction of PE corresponds to the individual amount of PP and PE polymer present. For the crystalline block composite, it is assumed that the ratio of the weight fraction of PP to PE also corresponds to the average block ratio between PP and PE present in this statistical block copolymer.

$\begin{matrix} {w_{PP} = \frac{{{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{Overall}} - {{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{PE}}}{{{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{PP}} - {{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{PE}}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 2} \end{matrix}$

where w_(PP)=weight fraction of PP present in the whole polymer wt % C3_(PP)=weight percent of propylene in PP component or block Wt % C3_(PE)=weight percent of propylene in PE component or block

Applying equations 3 through 5, the amount of the isolated PP that is measured by HTLC analysis is used to determine the amount of polypropylene present in the diblock copolymer. The amount isolated or separated first in the HTLC analysis represents the ‘unbound PP’ and its composition is representative of the PP hard block present in the diblock copolymer. By substituting the overall weight % C3 of the whole polymer in the left hand side of equation 3, and the weight fraction of PP (isolated from HTLC) and the weight fraction of PE (separated by HTLC) into the right hand side of equation 3, the weight % of C3 in the PE fraction can be calculated using equations 4 and 5. The PE fraction is described as the fraction separated from the unbound PP and contains the diblock and unbound PE. The composition of the isolated PP is assumed to be the same as the weight % propylene in the iPP block as described previously.

$\begin{matrix} {{{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{Overall}} = {{w_{PPisolated}\left( {{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{PP}} \right)} + {w_{{PE} - {fraction}}\left( {{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{{PE} - {fraction}}} \right)}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 3} \\ {{{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{{PE} - {fraction}}} = \frac{{{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{Overall}} - {w_{PPisolated}\left( {{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{PP}} \right)}}{w_{{PE} - {fraction}}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4} \\ {\mspace{79mu} {w_{{PE} - {fraction}} = {1 - w_{PPisolated}}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 5} \end{matrix}$

where w_(PPisolated)=weight fraction of isolated PP from HTLC w_(PE-fraction)=weight fraction of PE separated from HTLC, containing the diblock and unbound PE wt % C3_(PP)=weight % of propylene in the PP; which is also the same amount of propylene present in the PP block and in the unbound PP wt % C3_(PE-fraction)=weight % of propylene in the PE-fraction that was separated by HTLC wt % C3_(Overall)=overall weight % propylene in the whole polymer

The amount of wt % C3 in the polyethylene fraction from HTLC represents the amount of propylene present in the block copolymer fraction that is above the amount present in the ‘unbound polyethylene’.

To account for the ‘additional’ propylene present in the polyethylene fraction, the only way to have PP present in this fraction, is that the PP polymer chain must be connected to a PE polymer chain (or else it would have been isolated with the PP fraction separated by HTLC). Thus, the PP block remains adsorbed with the PE block until the PE fraction is separated.

The amount of PP present in the diblock is calculated using Equation 6.

$\begin{matrix} {w_{{PP} - {diblock}} = \frac{{{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{{PE} - {fraction}}} - {{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{PE}}}{{{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{PP}} - {{wt}\mspace{14mu} \% \mspace{14mu} C\; 3_{PE}}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 6} \end{matrix}$

Where

wt % C3_(PE-fraction)=weight % of propylene in the PE-fraction that was separated by HTLC (Equation 4) wt % C3_(PP)=weight % of propylene in the PP component or block (defined previously) wt % C3_(PE)=weight % of propylene in the PE component or block (defined previously) w_(PP-diblock)=weight fraction of PP in the diblock separated with PE-fraction by HTLC

The amount of the diblock present in this PE fraction can be estimated by assuming that the ratio of the PP block to PE block is the same as the overall ratio of PP to PE present in the whole polymer. For example, if the overall ratio of PP to PE is 1:1 in the whole polymer, then it assumed that the ratio of PP to PE in the diblock is also 1:1. Thus the weight fraction of diblock present in the PE fraction would be weight fraction of PP in the diblock (w_(PP-diblock)) multiplied by two. Another way to calculate this is by dividing the weight fraction of PP in the diblock (w_(PP-diblock)) by the weight fraction of PP in the whole polymer (equation 2).

To further estimate the amount of diblock present in the whole polymer, the estimated amount of diblock in the PE fraction is multiplied by the weight fraction of the PE fraction measured from HTLC.

To estimate the crystalline block composite index, the amount of block copolymer is determined by equation 7. To estimate the CBCI, the weight fraction of diblock in the PE fraction calculated using equation 6 is divided by the overall weight fraction of PP (as calculated in equation 2) and then multiplied by the weight fraction of the PE fraction. The value of the CBCI can range from 0 to 1, wherein 1 would be equal to 100% diblock and zero would be for a material such as a traditional blend or random copolymer.

$\begin{matrix} {{C\; B\; C\; I} = {\frac{w_{{PP} - {diblock}}}{w_{PP}} \cdot w_{{PE} - {fraction}}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 7} \end{matrix}$

Where

w_(PP-diblock)=weight fraction of PP in the diblock separated with the PE-fraction by HTLC (Equation 6) w_(PP)=weight fraction of PP in the polymer w_(PE-fraction)=weight fraction of PE separated from HTLC, containing the diblock and unbound PE (Equation 5)

For example, if an iPP-PE polymer contains a total of 62.5 wt % C3 and is made under the conditions to produce an PE polymer with 10 wt % C3 and an iPP polymer containing 97.5 wt % C3, the weight fractions of PE and PP are 0.400 and 0.600, respectively (as calculated using Equation 2). Since the percent of PE is 40.0 wt % and the iPP is 60.0 wt %, the relative ratio of the PE:PP blocks is expressed as 1:1.5.

Hence, if one skilled in the art, carries out an HTLC separation of the polymer and isolates 28 wt % PP and 72 wt % of the PE fraction, this would be an unexpected result and this would lead to the conclusion that a fraction of block copolymer was present. If the C3 content of the PE fraction (wt % C_(3PE-fraction)) is subsequently calculated to be 48.9 wt % C3 from equations 4 and 5, the PE fraction containing the additional propylene has 0.556 wt fraction of PE polymer and 0.444 weight fraction of PP polymer (w_(PP-diblock), calculated using Equation 6).

Since the PE fraction contains 0.444 weight fraction of PP, it should be attached to an additional 0.293 weight fraction of PE polymer based on the iPP:PE block ratio of 1.5:1. Thus, the weight fraction of diblock present in the PE fraction is 0.741; further calculation of the weight fraction of diblock present in the whole polymer is 0.533. For the entire polymer, the composition is described as 53.3 wt % iPP-PE diblock, 28 wt % PP polymer, and 18.7 wt % PE polymer. The crystalline block composite index (CBCI) is the estimated weight fraction of diblock present in the whole polymer. For the example described above, the CBCI for the crystalline block composite is 0.533.

The Crystalline Block Composite Index (CBCI) provides an estimate of the quantity of block copolymer within the crystalline block composite under the assumption that the ratio of CEB to CAOB within the diblock is the same as the ratio of crystalline ethylene to crystalline alpha-olefin in the overall crystalline block composite. This assumption is valid for these statistical olefin block copolymers based on the understanding of the individual catalyst kinetics and the polymerization mechanism for the formation of the diblocks via chain shuttling catalysis as described in the specification.

The calculation of CBCI is based on the analytical observation that the amount of free CAOP is lower than the total amount of CAOP that was produced in the polymerization. The remainder of the CAOP is bound to CEB to form the diblock copolymer. Because the PE fraction separated by HTLC contains both the CEP and the diblock polymer, the observed amount of propylene for this fraction is above that of the CEP. This difference can be used to calculate the CBCI.

Based solely on the analytical observations without prior knowledge of the polymerization statistics, the minimum and maximum quantities of block copolymer present in a polymer can be calculated, thus distinguishing a crystalline block composite from a simple copolymer or copolymer blend.

The upper bound on the amount of block copolymer present within a crystalline block composite, w_(DB) _(Max) , is obtained by subtracting the fraction of unbound PP measured by HTLC from one as in Equation 8. This maximum assumes that the PE fraction from HTLC is entirely diblock and that all crystalline ethylene is bound to crystalline PP with no unbound PE. The only material in the CBC that is not diblock is that portion of PP separated via HTLC.

w _(DB) _(max) =1−w _(PP) _(isolated)   Eq. 8

The lower bound on the amount of block copolymer present within a crystalline block composite, w_(DB) _(Min) , corresponds to the situation where little to no PE is bound to PP. This lower limit is obtained by subtracting the amount of unbound PP as measured by HTLC from the total amount of PP in the sample as shown in Equation 9.

w _(DB) _(Min) =w _(PP) −w _(PP) _(isolated)   Eq. 9

Furthermore, the crystalline block composite index will fall between these two values: w_(DB) _(Min) <CBCI≦w_(DB) _(Max) .

Based on the polymerization mechanism for production of the crystalline block composites, the CBCI represents the best estimate of the actual fraction of diblock copolymer in the composite. For unknown polymer samples, w_(DB) _(Min) can be used to determine if a material is a crystalline block composite. For a physical blend of PE and PP, the overall weight fraction of PP should be equal to that of the wt % PP from HTLC and the lower bound on diblock content, Equation 9, is zero. If this analysis is applied to a sample of PP that does not contain PE both the weight fraction of PP and amount of PP obtained from HTLC are 100% and again the lower bound on diblock content, Equation 9, is zero. Finally if this analysis is applied to a sample of PE that does not contain PP then both the weight fraction of PP and weight fraction PP recovered via HTLC are zero and the lower bound on diblock, Equation 9, is zero. Because the lower bound on diblock content is not greater than zero in any of these three cases, these materials are not crystalline block composites.

Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) is used to measure, among other things, the heats of fusion of the crystalline block and block composites and is performed on a TA Instruments Q1000 DSC equipped with an RCS cooling accessory and an auto sampler. A nitrogen purge gas flow of 50 ml/min is used. The sample is pressed into a thin film and melted in the press at about 190° C. and then air-cooled to room temperature (25° C.). About 3-10 mg of material is then cut, accurately weighed, and placed in a light aluminum pan (ca 50 mg) which is later crimped shut. The thermal behavior of the sample is investigated with the following temperature profile: the sample is rapidly heated to 190° C. and held isothermal for 3 minutes in order to remove any previous thermal history. The sample is then cooled to −90° C. at 10° C./min cooling rate and held at −90° C. for 3 minutes. The sample is then heated to 190° C. at 10° C./min heating rate. The cooling and second heating curves are recorded. For the heat of fusion measurements for the CBC and BC resins, as known and routinely performed by skilled practitioners in this area, the baseline for the calculation is drawn from the flat initial section prior to the onset of melting (typically in the range of from about −10 to about 20° C. for these types of materials) and extends to the end of melting for the second heating curve.

The Layer B BC and/or CBC resin(s) can collectively be summarized as comprising:

-   -   i) an ethylene polymer (EP) comprising from 10 to 100 mol %         polymerized ethylene;     -   ii) an alpha-olefin-based crystalline polymer (CAOP); and     -   iii) a block copolymer comprising (a) an ethylene polymer block         (EB) comprising from 10 to 100 mol % ethylene and (b) a         crystalline alpha-olefin block (CAOB).

In general, BC's that can be used in Layer B according to the present invention will have heat of fusion values (generally related to their ethylene content in the EP and EB) of at least 20 Joules per gram (J/g), more preferably at least 25 J/g, still more preferably at least 30 J/g and most preferably at least 35 J/g, as measured by DSC. In general, CBC's that can be used in Layer B according to the present invention will have heat of fusion values (reflecting the relatively higher ethylene content in the CEP and CEB) as measured by DSC of at least 85 Joules per gram (J/g), more preferably at least 90 J/g. In either case, the heat of fusion values for polymers of these types would generally have a maximum in the area of 125 J/g. For the heat of fusion measurements, as generally known and performed by practitioners in this area, the DSC is run as generally described below under nitrogen at 10° C./min from 23° C. to 220° C., held isothermal at 220° C., dropped to 23° C. at 10° C./min and ramped back to 220° C. at 10° C./min. The second heat data is used to calculate the heat of fusion of the melting transition.

In a preferred embodiment the Layer B comprises a BC. Preferred are BC's wherein the component (iii)(a) EB comprises greater than 40 mol %, preferably greater than 60 mol %, more preferably greater than 70 mol %, more preferably greater than 74 mol %, and most preferably greater than 85 mol percent of polymerized ethylene, the balance being preferably polymerized propylene. Preferred BC's have a block composite index (BCI) of at least 0.1, preferably at least 0.3, more preferably at least 0.5; more preferably at least 0.7 more preferably at least 0.9. Preferred BC's generally have a MFR of at least 1, preferably at least 2, preferably at least 3 and up to and including preferably 50, more preferably 40, and most preferably up to and including 30 dg/min. If employing a blend comprising a BC in Layer B of a film according to the invention, preferred blends comprise at least 40 wt % BC based on the weight of the blend, preferably at least 60 wt %, preferably at least 75 wt %, and more preferably at least 80 wt % block composite in a blend for use in the B layer.

In another preferred embodiment the B layer comprises a CBC. Preferred CBC's comprise in the component (iii) CEB greater than 90 mol % polymerized ethylene, more preferably greater than 93 mol %, and most preferably greater than 95 mol percent of polymerized ethylene. Preferred CBC's have a crystalline block composite index (CBCI) of at least 0.3; preferably at least 0.5; preferably at least 0.7; and more preferably at least 0.9. Preferred CBC's generally have a MFR of at least 1 dg/min, preferably at least 2, and preferably at least 3 dg/min up to and including 50 dg/min, more preferably 40, more preferably 30 dg/min. If employing a blend comprising a CBC in Layer B of a film according to the invention, preferred blends comprise at least 40 wt %, more preferably 60 wt %, more preferably 75 wt %, and more preferably 80 wt % CBC in a blend for use in the B layer.

Preferred BC and/or CBC resin(s) for Layer B have a CAOB amount (in part (iii)) in the range of from 30 to 70 weight % (based on (iii)), preferably at least 40 wt %, more preferably at least 45 wt % based on (iii), and preferably up to 60 wt %, more preferably up to 55 wt % and most preferably of 50 wt % based on (iii), the balance in each case being ethylene polymer block.

Blends of these CBC and BC types of resins can also be used in the Layer B as (a) a blend with an amount of one or more different resin of the same type, (b) a blend with an amount of one or more resin of the other type or (c) a blend of a BC, a CBC or an (a) or (b) blend with one or more other polymers, including polyolefins as described herein. Suitable additional components could be, for example, LLDPE, LDPE, an impact modifier such as ethylene octene copolymer plastomers such as AFFINITY PL 1880G, PL8100G, and PL 1850G, ethylene octene copolymer elastomers such as ENGAGE 8842, ENGAGE 8150, and ENGAGE XLT 8677, or olefin block copolymers such as for example INFUSE 9100 and 9107 brand polymer or propylene based elastomers such as VERSIFY 2300 and VERSIFY 3300 brand resins available from The Dow Chemical Company. In alternative embodiments, the CBC and/or BC polymer resins of Layer B can be blended with other polyolefin resins that are grafted or functionalized with glycidyl methacrylate, maleic anhydride (MAH), amines or silane or they can be blended with polar copolymers of ethylene such as EEA, EVA, EMA, EnBA, EAA and the like. If used, the additional blend polymer needs to be (i) miscible or compatible with the BC or CBC, (ii) have little, if any, deleterious impact on the desirable properties of the BC or CBC, e.g., optics and low modulus, and (iii) used in amounts such that the polyolefin BC or CBC constitutes at least 50, preferably at least 70 and more preferably at least 80, weight percent of the blend. If used, blend components would be used in Layer B resins in amounts at least of 2 weight percent, preferably at least 5 and more preferably at least 8 weight percent and preferably less than 30 weight percent, preferably less than 25 weight percent and more preferably less than 20 weight percent. Blending can be used to provide improved compatibility (adhesion) with C and/or higher polarity A layers under a range of conditions and lower costs. In particular, blends (or sub-layers as described below) would desirably be employed where Layer B is employed with additives and/or stabilizers such as colorants, UV and antioxidant stabilizers or with polar copolymers of ethylene. Blends can also be advantageously employed where this film surface needs reflectance and/or weathering properties.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, all or part of the BC and/or CBC component in the Layer B are grafted or functionalized with glycidyl methacrylate, maleic anhydride (MAH), amines or silane to provide desired property modifications such as improved adhesion to other films or the surfaces of articles. In general, functionalization or grafting can be done by techniques known to those skilled in this art area. Particularly useful and applicable techniques are taught in copending United States patent applications filed Dec. 14, 2011: (a) Ser. No. 61/570,464 entitled, “FUNCTIONALIZED BLOCK COMPOSITE AND CRYSTALLINE BLOCK COMPOSITE COMPOSITIONS AS COMPATIBILIZERS and (b) Ser. No. 61/570,340 entitled, “FUNCTIONALIZED BLOCK COMPOSITE AND CRYSTALLINE BLOCK COMPOSITE COMPOSITIONS”, which are incorporated herein by reference.

In another embodiment resin(s) employed in Layer B may contain curing or crosslinking additives or be cured or crosslinked by other means. The curing or crosslinking is typically performed at the time of assembling the multilayer film into a laminate structure or module or after, usually shortly after. Crosslinking can be affected by any one of a number of different and known methods, e.g., by the use of thermally activated free radical initiator additives, e.g., peroxides and azo compounds; by the use of photoinitiators, e.g., benzophenone; by the use of radiation techniques including electron-beam and x-ray; or by the use of vinyl silane, e.g., vinyl tri-ethoxy or vinyl tri-methoxy silane with a moisture cure.

In another embodiment, the B layer can comprise two or more layers (sub-layers) where each of the sub-layers may comprise differing compositions such as differing BC's, CBC's or blends. Multiple sub-layers are advantageously employed in the Layer B to provide various advantages, such as improved adhesion between Layer C and Layer A. In particular, A and C layers that are particularly dissimilar and difficult to adhere to each other can be adhered better and more strongly by using differing, gradient blends of polar ethylene copolymer(s) with CBC or BC in sub-layers within the B layer. In this way, the polar ethylene copolymer/CBC or BC blends in the adjacent, contacting layers progress through a gradient of blend ratios that are miscible or highly compatible with the immediately adjacent layer and transition from a composition suited to adhere well to one (but not the other) of the A or C layers and transition to a composition suited to adhere well to the other of the A or C layers. For example, the sub-layering in Layer B could comprise layers, B1 through B4: layer B1 of CBC/10% VA EVA, layer B2 of CBC/18% VA-EVA, layer B3 of CBC/24% VA-EVA; and layer B4 of 30% VA-EVA to adhere a polypropylene Layer C to an encapsulant Layer A of EVA (30% VA).

Encapsulation Layer A Polyolefin Resin Components

Layer A in the films according to the invention is replacing a rear “encapsulation film layer” that is typically a separate film that is needing to be assembled into the layered electronic device. In the various types of electronic device and PV module structures these layers are sometimes referred to in as “encapsulation” films or layers or “protective” films or layers or “adhesive” films or layers where the same or similar film is used on both sides of the electronic device or PV cell and “sandwiches” it. Typically, these layers function to encapsulate and protect the interior photovoltaic cell from moisture and other types of physical damage and adhere to other layers, such as a glass or other top sheet material. Using the same or similar composition film for both sides obtains optimum adhesion and compatibility between such layers. For the front side of the electronic device or PV cell, sufficient light transmission is needed, but in the integrated backsheet, light transmission of the Layer A is less important although sufficient transmission is desirable for increasing reflection of light that passes through the PV module and reflects off one or more of the surface layers of the integrated backsheet. According to the present invention, therefore, the top encapsulation layer of the integrated backsheet can employ the same or different resin(s) as used in a front encapsulation film. Relative to the front encapsulation films that are used with the top encapsulation layer of the integrated backsheets according the present invention, optical clarity is not as important. However, in most other respects, the top encapsulation Layer A of the integrated backsheet according to the present invention will require the same performance and can be prepared from the same or similar compositions as the known front encapsulation films. As is known, good physical, electrical (such as resistivity, dielectric breakdown strength, and partial discharge), and moisture resistance properties, moldability, adhesion to adjacent PV components and low cost are among the desirable qualities.

Film compositions suitable for use as the top encapsulation layers of the integrated backsheets according the present invention include those used and in the same manner and amounts as the light transmitting layers used in the known PV module laminate structures, e.g., such as those taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,586,271, US Patent Application Publication US2001/0045229 A1, WO 99/05206 and WO 99/04971; all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In general, the top encapsulating layers can include one or more of the different types of polymer materials discussed below and/or otherwise known or used for encapsulation layers and assembled into encapsulation film or layer formulations. These can be very generally summarized into several groups of A layers as follows:

A1—Layers comprising polyolefin based resins using silane grafting and containing UV stabilizers.

A2—Layer comprising polar ethylene copolymer resins such as EVA, EEA, EnBA, EMA or blends, including with silane grafting and UV stabilizers. See for example EP 2 056 356 A1 and EP 2 056 356 A1.

A3—Poly(vinyl butyral) resins, e.g., PVB. See US2008/0210287A1.

Multilayer structures comprising at least a surface (cell contacting) layer of one of A1 through A3 layers with layers of various other ethylene polymer or copolymer resins for optimizing reflectance, adhesion or economics such as sub-layers with different densities; sub-layers with differing silane levels; sub-layers of differing types of above resins; and sub-layers having different functionality or purpose, such as reflecting layers.

A1—Layers Comprising Olefinic Polymers and Interpolymers of Ethylene

Some specific examples of A1 olefinic polymers and interpolymers useful in this invention, particularly in the top layer of the backsheet, include very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) (e.g., FLEXOMER® ethylene/1-hexene polyethylene made by The Dow Chemical Company), homogeneously branched, linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymers (e.g. TAFMER® by Mitsui Petrochemicals Company Limited and EXACT® by Exxon Chemical Company), homogeneously branched, substantially linear ethylene/α-olefin polymers (e.g., AFFINITY® and ENGAGE® polyethylene available from The Dow Chemical Company), ethylene multi-block copolymers (e.g., INFUSE® olefin block copolymers available from The Dow Chemical Company), linear ethylene-based polymers such as ATTANE™ Ultra Low Density Linear Polyethylene Copolymer, linear ethylene-based polymers such as DOWLEX™ Polyethylene Resins, ELITE™ brand enhanced polyethylene resin, all available from The Dow Chemical Company. The more preferred polyolefin copolymers for use in the top layer of the backsheet are the homogeneously branched linear and substantially linear ethylene copolymers, particularly the substantially linear ethylene copolymers which are more fully described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,272,236, 5,278,272 and 5,986,028, and the ethylene multi-block copolymers which are more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,355,089, WO 2005/090427, US2006/0199931, US2006/0199930, US2006/0199914, US2006/0199912, US2006/0199911, US2006/0199910, US2006/0199908, US2006/0199906, US2006/0199905, US2006/0199897, US2006/0199896, US2006/0199887, US2006/0199884, US2006/0199872, US2006/0199744, US2006/0199030, US2006/0199006 and US2006/0199983.

As known, for providing crosslinking and initiating grafting, these olefinic polymers and interpolymers can have desired weight percentage levels (based on polymer resin) of known peroxides (such as Luperox 101)—at least 0.01, preferably at least 0.025, more preferably at least 0.05 weight percent and up to and including 0.5, preferably less than or equal to 0.25 weight percent.

As known, for providing improved adhesion, these olefinic polymers and interpolymers can have desired weight percentage levels (based on polymer resin) of known silanes (such as VTMS) added during an extrusion step—at least 0.25, preferably 0.4, preferably 0.5 weight percent up to and including 2.0 wt %, preferably 1.8, preferably 1.65, preferably 1.5 weight percent.

They can also contain standard UV stabilizers and antioxidants such as listed herein in amounts of up to 3%.

A2—Encapsulants Comprising Polar Ethylene Copolymers

In another embodiment, polar ethylene copolymers can be used as top encapsulant layers (A) of the integrated backsheet. Typical copolymers that could be used are ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene ethyl acrylate (EEA), ethylene methacrylate (EMA) and ethylene n-butyl acrylate (EnBA). Other similar known copolymers could be used as well. Typically, these copolymers have a silane grafted such as VTMS where silane levels (in weight percent based on polymer resin) are typically at least 0.25, preferably 0.4, preferably 0.5 weight percent up to and including 2.0 wt %, preferably 1.8, preferably 1.65, and preferably 1.5 weight percent. These resins also typically include optional stabilizers additives as listed below, if used, in amounts of at least 0.01 wt %, preferably 0.02 and up to and including 3 wt %, preferably 2, and preferably 1 wt %. Some copolymers may also have additional functional groups added such as, for example, alkyleneoxy groups and the like as disclosed in, for example, EP 2056356 A1. These copolymers typically have a melt index (MI as measured by the procedure of ASTM D-1238 (190 C/2.16 kg)) of less than 100, preferably 75, more preferably 50 and even more preferably 30, g/10 min. The typical minimum MI is at least 0.3, preferably 0.7 and even more preferably 1 g/10 min.

One particularly preferred polyolefin for use in the top layer of the integrated backsheet is an EVA copolymer that will form a sealing relationship with the electronic device and/or another component of the module, e.g., encapsulant, a glass cover sheet, etc. when brought into adhesive contact with the device or other component. EVA copolymers are generally characterized as semi-crystalline, flexible and having good optical properties, e.g., high transmission of visible and UV-light and low haze. The ratio of units derived from ethylene to units derived from vinyl acetate in the copolymer, before grafting or other modification, can vary widely, but typically the EVA copolymer contains at least 20, preferably at least 24, more preferably at least 26 and even more preferably at least 28, wt % units derived from vinyl acetate. Typically, the EVA copolymer contains less than 35, preferably less than 34, and more preferably less than 33 wt % units derived from vinyl acetate. The EVA copolymer can be made by any process including emulsion, solution and high-pressure polymerization.

In another embodiment, possible encapsulant layers comprise blends of A1 and A2 with each other and/or with different polyolefins such as differing densities, MI or type.

A3—Poly(Vinyl Butyral) Resins

Poly (vinyl butyral) resins could also be used as the encapsulant in the integrated backsheet such as disclosed in US2008/0210287A1.

A4—Multilayers of Various Encapsulants

In another embodiment, the top encapsulant Layer A can comprise one or more layers of encapsulants described above to provide optimum reflectance, adhesion or economics. Layers can have different encapsulant resins composition, densities, silane levels, or functionality or purpose. For example one of the many encapsulant layers could be a primary reflecting layer. However, it is preferred that adjacent layers have good interlayer adhesion.

Layer A and B Crosslinking

Due to the low density and modulus of at least some of the top encapsulant Layer A resins and Layer B used in the practice of this invention, these polymers can be cured or crosslinked at the time of or after, usually shortly after, construction of a laminated device such as an ED a PV module. Crosslinking can be affected by any one of a number of different and known methods, e.g., by the use of thermally activated initiators, e.g., peroxides and azo compounds; photoinitiators, e.g., benzophenone; radiation techniques including E-beam and x-ray; vinyl silane, e.g., vinyl tri-ethoxy or vinyl tri-methoxy silane; and moisture cure.

Additives

The individual layers of the multilayered structure can further comprise one or more additives. Exemplary additives include UV-stabilizers, UV-absorbers, and antioxidants. These additives and stabilizers are useful in, e.g., reducing the oxidative degradation and improving the weatherability of the product. Suitable stabilizers include hindered amine light stabilizers and benzoates, including combinations of these, such as Cynergy A400, A430, and R350, Cyasorb UV-3529, Cyasorb UV-3346, Cyasorb UV-3583 Hostavin N30, Univil 4050, Univin 5050, Chimassorb UV-119, Chimassorb 944 LD, Tinuvin 622 LD and the like; UV absorbers such as benzophenones, benzotriazoles or triazines, including examples of these such as Tinuvin 328 or Cyasorb UV-1164 and the like and; primary and secondary antioxidants such as Cyanox 2777, Irganox 1010, Irganox 1076, Irganox B215, Irganox B225, PEPQ, Weston 399, TNPP, Irgafos 168 and Doverphos 9228. The amounts of stabilizers needed depend on the type, aging environment and longevity desired and are used in the manner and, as is commonly known in the art, the amounts typically range between greater than 0.01 and less than 3% weight percent based on the polymer weight being stabilized.

Other additives that can be used include, but are not limited to slip additives such as erucamde and stearamide and the like, polymer process aids such as Dyneon fluoropolymer elastomers like Dynamar FX5930, pigments and fillers such as DuPont TiO2 products numbered R960, R350, R105, R108, or R104, and carbon blacks such as used in Dow DNFA-0037 masterbatch or provided by Cabot. These and other potential additives are used in the manner and amount as is commonly known in the art.

Multilayer Film Structures and ED Modules

In describing the use of the polymer components above to make laminate or layered structures, there are a number of terms that are regularly used and defined as follows.

“Layer” means a single thickness, coating or stratum continuously or discontinuously spread out or covering a surface.

“Multi-layer” means at least two layers.

“Facial surface”, “planar surface” and like terms as related to films or layers mean the surfaces of the layers that are in contact with the opposite and adjacent surfaces of the adjoining layers. Facial surfaces are in distinction to edge surfaces. A rectangular film or layer comprises two facial surfaces and four edge surfaces. A circular layer comprises two facial surfaces and one continuous edge surface.

“In adhering contact” and like terms mean that one facial surface of one layer and one facial surface of another layer are in touching and binding contact to one another such that one layer cannot be removed for the other layer without damage to the in-contact facial surfaces of both layers.

“Sealing relationship” and like terms mean that two or more components, e.g., two polymer layers, or a polymer layer and an electronic device, or a polymer layer and a glass cover sheet, etc., join with one another in such a manner, e.g., co-extrusion, lamination, coating, etc., that the interface formed by their joining is separated from their immediate external environment.

The polymeric materials as discussed above can be used in this invention to construct multilayer structure film or sheet, which is used in turn to construct electronic device modules in the same manner and using the same amounts as is known in the art, e.g., such as those taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,586,271, US Patent Application Publication US2001/0045229 A1, WO 99/05206 and WO 99/04971. As discussed above, the films according to the invention can be used to construct the protective “skins” for electronic device modules or assemblies, i.e., multilayered structures comprising an electronic device. As well these films can also serve as the back encapsulant layer of such devices. They are particularly suited for application to the back or rear facing surface of such devices as a combined encapsulant with backsheet, i.e., “integrated backsheet”. Preferably these multilayered structures, e.g., integrated backsheets, are co-extruded, i.e., all layers of the multilayered structures are extruded at the same time, such that as the multilayered structure is formed.

Depending upon their intended use, the multilayer film or sheet structures according to the present invention have certain physical property and other performance requirements in the areas of toughness, reflectance, tensile strength, heat resistance, dimensional stability, electrical properties (such as resistivity, dielectric breakdown strength, and partial discharge), and weatherability. The structure must also sufficiently adhere to the appropriate surface of the ED active element, any metal leads and a front encapsulant film. In the films according to the present invention, the layer materials as described above are provided into film layers generally as follows:

Layer C—Comprising High Melting Point Polyolefin Resins

In general, Layer C in the multilayer backsheet structures according to the present invention is prepared from the “Layer C High Melting Point Polyolefin Resins” as discussed above. In one preferred embodiment, it is preferably a highly crystalline homopolymer polypropylene resin. Depending upon the specific performance requirements for the film and/or a module structure in which it is intended for use, the thickness of Layer C is typically in the range of from 100 μm to 375 μm. As for minimum thickness, Layer C is preferably at least 100 μm, more preferably at least 150 μm, more preferably at least 160 μm and most preferably at least 170 μm thick. As for maximum thickness, the thickness of Layer C can be up to and including 375 μm, preferably 300 μm, more preferably 275 μm and most preferably 250 μm.

Encapsulating Top Layer A

As mentioned above, the top layer of the multilayered films according to the present invention can utilize the known different types of encapsulating film formulations sometimes referred to in various types of PV module structures as “encapsulation” films or layers or “protective” films or layers or “adhesive” films or layers. As is known, nature and thickness of this layer are somewhat determined by the specific performance requirements of the electronic device and/or final module structure, including the matching front encapsulation film layer film. In general, the thickness of Layer A is typically in the range of from 0.15 to 1.25 mm. As for minimum thickness, Layer A is as thick as needed to provide, along with the front encapsulation film, the protection needed in the electronic device module, but is preferably at least 0.20 mm, more preferably at least 0.25 and most preferably at least 0.30 mm thick. As for maximum thickness, the thickness and cost of Layer A are desirably minimized but can be up to and including 1.25 mm, preferably 0.875 mm, more preferably 0.625 mm and most preferably 0.500 mm.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the A Layer is of the type A1 described above. An example of a formulation of such a layer would be ENGAGE elastomer blend that is silane grafted and contains UV and AO stabilizers.

Layer B—Tie Layer Comprising Block Composite Resin

In general, Layer B in the multilayer backsheet film structures according to the several embodiments of the present invention is prepared from the “Layer B Block Composite Resins” as discussed above. In one preferred embodiment, it is preferably a crystalline block copolymer composite resin. Depending upon the specific performance requirements for the film and/or a module structure in which it is intended for use, the thickness of Layer B is typically in the range of from 10 μm to 150 μm. As for minimum thickness, Layer B is only as thick as needed to tie the adjacent Layers A and C together and is preferably at least 15 μm, more preferably at least 20 μm and most preferably at least 25 μm thick. As for maximum thickness, the thickness and cost of Layer B are desirably minimized but can preferably be up to and including 125 μm, more preferably 100 μm and most preferably 75 μm thick.

The multilayer films according to the present invention, depending upon the desired structure of the laminate structure in which they are employed, comprise Layer B in adhering contact with the bottom Layer C and in adhering contact with top layer A. The composition of the Layer B can be selected and optimized along the lines discussed herein depending upon the intended film structure and usage of the film structure.

There are a number of desirable features and advantages realized in utilizing these integrated backsheets of the present invention to prepare electronic device modules such as PV modules. The structures according to the present invention provide the necessary high resistivity and excellent level of dielectric protection needed for operations of the electronic devices, such as current conductance for photovoltaic cells. Otherwise, the other materials typically employed, such as laminated encapsulant and separate backsheet sometimes performed poorly in this aspect (see Schott Backsheet article in Special Edition of PV Magazine dated June/2010 (www.pv-magazine.com)). As known, when using a separate rear encapsulation film in assembling an electronic device module, shrinkage and wrinkling of the separate laminated encapsulation layer in those situations can be particularly severe and especially detrimental to the precise location and connected leads of the electronic device, not to mention physically damaging to the fragile devices themselves, e.g., a PV cell. Instead, according to the present invention, when an encapsulation Layer A is laminated and fixed to the higher melting point Layer C, preferably during a coextrusion process, prior to use in any electronic device assembly lamination process, the encapsulation layer is not free to undergo free shrinkage thereby reducing or eliminating problems otherwise encountered during lamination of the separate encapsulation layer. When the integrated backsheet encapsulation layer is initially fixed to the front encapsulation film in the lamination process, it thereby reduces the front encapsulation film shrinkage, as well. In general, the process of handling and assembling electronic based devices can be greatly improved.

With the use of the integrated backsheet structures according to the present invention, the back sheet and encapsulation layers can easily be used to provide optimized optical properties in the electronic device modules, such as light reflectance that is beneficial in PV module structures. Also, entrapment of detrimental air bubbles and/or other impurities and between back sheet and encapsulation film are also avoided when the encapsulation layer is located as a coextruded layer onto the integrated backsheet structure according to the present invention. Otherwise, there is a need to remove air between layers during the heat/pressure lamination process requiring the encapsulant often to be embossed on both sides resulting in tacking and buildup of material on emboss rolls during manufacture. In addition, it is known that typical encapsulating films are often tacky and difficult to handle, requiring handling with a separating, protective paper layer. According to present invention, it is possible to handle and employ the integrated backsheet without supporting protective paper layers that add unnecessary costs and waste. In general, it can be seen that integrated backsheets according to the present invention save time and cost that are otherwise needed to handle the separate encapsulation film component of the PV modules.

In all cases, the top facial surface of the top A Layer of the multilayered structure exhibits good adhesion for the facial surfaces of either the electronic device, particularly the back surface of the device, or the encapsulation layer material that encapsulates the device.

Depending somewhat upon the specific structure and process for utilizing the film structures according to the present invention, such film structures can be prepared by any of a large number of known film production processes including but not limited to extrusion or co-extrusion methods such as blown-film, modified blown-film, calendaring and casting. There are many known techniques which can be employed for providing multilayer films (up to and including microlayer films), including for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,788; U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,793; WO/2010/096608; WO 2008/008875; U.S. Pat. No. 3,565,985; U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,265; U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,606; U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,791 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,872 all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Integrated Backsheet Structure and Thickness

The overall thickness of the multilayered integrated backsheet structures according to the present invention, prior to lamination into electronic devices and/or anything else, is typically between 0.2 and 1.5 mm (8 to 60 mils). Preferably to provide sufficient physical properties and performance, the integrated backsheet thickness is at least 0.25 mm (10 mils), and more preferably at least 0.4 mm (16 mils). To maintain light weight and low costs the integrated backsheet thickness is preferably 1.05 mm (42 mils) or less, more preferably 0.95 mm (38 mils) or less. This includes any optional, additional layers that form and are an integral part of the multilayer structure.

FIG. 1, not to scale, is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device comprising a three-layer backsheet 14 comprising “A” Layer 14A, “B” Layer 14B and “C” Layer 14C all in adhering contact with each other, further in adhering contact with a front encapsulant film 12 and the back surface of an electronic device, e.g., a PV cell.

PV Module Structures and Terms

“Photovoltaic cells” (“PV cells”) contain one or more photovoltaic effect materials of any of several inorganic or organic types which are known in the art and from prior art photovoltaic module teachings. For example, commonly used photovoltaic effect materials include one or more of the known photovoltaic effect materials including but not limited to crystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS), copper indium selenide (CIS), cadmium telluride, gallium arsenide, dye-sensitized materials, and organic solar cell materials.

As shown by the diagram of a PV module in FIG. 1, PV cells (11) are typically employed in a laminate structure and have at least one light-reactive surface that converts the incident light into electric current. Photovoltaic cells are well known to practitioners in this field and are generally packaged into photovoltaic modules that protect the cell(s) and permit their usage in their various application environments, typically in outdoor applications. As used herein, PV cells may be flexible or rigid in nature and include the photovoltaic effect materials and any protective coating surface materials that are applied in their production as well as appropriate wiring and electronic driving circuitry (not shown).

“Photovoltaic modules” (“PV Modules”), such as represented by the example structure shown in FIG. 1, contain at least one photovoltaic cell 11 (in this case having a single light-reactive or effective surface directed or facing upward in the direction of the top of the page) surrounded or encapsulated by a light transmitting protective encapsulating sub-component 12 on the top or front surface and an protective encapsulating layer 14A of integrated backsheet 14 on the rear or back surface. Combined, 12 and 14A form a combination of two encapsulating layers “sandwiching” the cell. The light transmitting cover sheet 13 has an interior surface in adhering contact with a front facial surface of the encapsulating film layer 12, which layer 12 is, in turn, disposed over and in adhering contact with PV cell 11.

Multilayer backsheet films according to the present invention 14 act as a substrate and supports a rear surface of the PV cell 11. Integrated backsheet layer 14 need not be light transmitting if the surface of the PV cell to which it is opposed is not effective, i.e., reactive to sunlight.

In the case of a flexible PV module, as the description “flexible” implies, it would comprise a flexible thin film photovoltaic cell 11. Such a structure comprises the top layer or cover sheet 13 covering and adhered to a front facial surface of a light transmitting encapsulating film layer 12, which layer disposed over and in adhering facial contact with thin film PV cell 11 having a single light-reactive surface directed upward. In a flexible PV module embodiment, the PV cell 11 is typically applied or adhered directly to the integrated backsheet 14 and the thin film photovoltaic cell 11 is effectively “encapsulated” by protective layer 12 and integrated backsheet layer 14. Flexible integrated backsheet 14 in this embodiment is a second protective layer that directly adheres to and supports the bottom surface of thin film PV cell 11 and need not be light transmitting if the surface of the thin film cell which it is supporting is not reactive to sunlight. The overall thickness of a typical rigid or flexible PV cell module will typically be in the range of about 0.5 to about 50 mm.

In one embodiment of the invention, a PV module, as shown in FIG. 1 comprises: at least one solar cell 11, typically a plurality of such cells arrayed in a linear or planar pattern, at least one cover sheet 13, typically a glass cover sheet over the front facial surface of the cell, a polymeric encapsulant material front layer 12 encapsulating the front side of the cell, and an integrated backsheet 14 that incorporates encapsulant material layer 14A as top facial Layer A that is in adhering contact with both the back surface of the cell and also partially with the polymeric encapsulant material layer 12 encapsulating the front side of the cell. The encapsulant surface layer of the backsheet 14A exhibits good adhesion to both the device and the top encapsulant layer material 12.

In the electronic device (and especially the PV module) embodiments of the present invention, the top layer or coversheet 13 and the top encapsulating layer 12 generally need to have good, typically excellent, transparency, meaning transmission rates in excess of 90, preferably in excess of 95 and even more preferably in excess of 97, percent as measured by UV-vis spectroscopy (measuring absorbance in the wavelength range of about 250-1200 nanometers. An alternative measure of transparency is the internal haze method of ASTM D-1003-00.

The thicknesses of all the electronic device module layers, described further below, both in an absolute context and relative to one another, are not critical to this invention and as such, can vary widely depending upon the overall design and purpose of the module. Typical thicknesses for protective or encapsulate front layers 12 are in the range of 0.125 to 2 millimeters (mm), and for the front cover sheet in the range of 0.125 to 1.25 mm. The thickness of the electronic device can also vary widely.

Light Transmitting Encapsulation Component or Layer

These layers are sometimes referred to in various types of PV module structures as “encapsulation” films or layers or “protective” films or layers or “adhesive” films or layers. So long as sufficiently light transmitting, these layers can employ the same resins and resin compositions as described above in connection with their use as Layer A for integrated backsheet embodiments of the present invention. Typically, these layers function to encapsulate and protect the interior photovoltaic cell from moisture and other types of physical damage and adhere it to other layers, such as a glass or other top sheet material and/or a back sheet layer. Optical clarity, good physical and moisture resistance properties, moldability and low cost are among the desirable qualities for such films. Suitable polymer compositions and films include those used and in the same manner and amounts as the light transmitting layers used in the known PV module laminate structures, e.g., such as those taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,586,271, US Patent Application Publication US2001/0045229 A1, WO 99/05206 and WO 99/04971. These materials can be used as the light transmitting “skin” for the PV cell, i.e., applied to any faces or surfaces of the device that are light-reactive.

Light Transmitting Cover Sheet

Light transmitting cover sheet layers, sometimes referred to in various types of PV module structures as “cover”, “protective” and/or “top sheet” layers, can be one or more of the known rigid or flexible sheet materials. Alternatively to glass or in addition to glass, other known materials can be employed for one or more of the layers with which the lamination films according to the present invention are employed. Such materials include, for example, materials such as polycarbonate, acrylic polymers, a polyacrylate, a cyclic polyolefin such as ethylene norbornene, metallocene-catalyzed polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, fluoropolymers such as ETFE (ethylene-tetrafluoroethlene), PVF (polyvinyl fluoride), FEP (fluoroethylene-propylene), ECTFE (ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), and many other types of plastic or polymeric materials, including laminates, mixtures or alloys of two or more of these materials. The location of particular layers and need for light transmission and/or other specific physical properties would determine the specific material selections. As needed and possible based upon their composition, the down conversion/light stabilizer formulations discussed above can be employed in the transparent cover sheets. However, the inherent stability of some of these may not require light stabilization according to the present invention.

When used in certain embodiments of the present invention, the “glass” used as a light transmitting cover sheet refers to a hard, brittle, light transmitting solid, such as that used for windows, many bottles, or eyewear, including, but not limited to, soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, sugar glass, isinglass (Muscovy-glass), or aluminum oxynitride. In the technical sense, glass is an inorganic product of fusion which has been cooled to a rigid condition without crystallizing. Many glasses contain silica as their main component and glass former.

Pure silicon dioxide (SiO2) glass (the same chemical compound as quartz, or, in its polycrystalline form, sand) does not absorb UV light and is used for applications that require transparency in this region. Large natural single crystals of quartz are pure silicon dioxide, and upon crushing are used for high quality specialty glasses. Synthetic amorphous silica, an almost 100% pure form of quartz, is the raw material for the most expensive specialty glasses.

The glass layer of the laminated structure is typically one of, without limitation, window glass, plate glass, silicate glass, sheet glass, float glass, colored glass, specialty glass which may, for example, include ingredients to control solar heating, glass coated with sputtered metals such as silver, glass coated with antimony tin oxide and/or indium tin oxide, E-glass, and Solexia™ glass (available from PPG Industries of Pittsburgh, Pa.).

Laminated PV Module Structures

The methods of making PV modules known in the art can readily be adapted to use the multilayer backsheet film structures according to present invention, and most advantageously employ them as an integrated backsheet layer for PV modules. For example, the multilayer backsheet film structures according to present invention can be used in the PV modules and methods of making PV modules such as those taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,586,271, US Patent Application Publication US2001/0045229 A1, WO 99/05206 and WO 99/04971.

In general, in the lamination process to construct a laminated PV module, at least the following layers are brought into facial contact:

-   -   a light-receiving top sheet layer (e.g., a glass layer) having         an “exterior” light-receiving facial surface and an “interior”         facial surface;     -   a light transmitting thermoplastic polymer film having at least         one layer of light transmitting thermoplastic polymers         comprising the down conversion/light stabilizer formulations         according to present invention, having one facial surface         directed toward the glass and one directed toward the         light-reactive surface of the PV cell and encapsulating the cell         surface, provided that this layer can be optional in some module         structures where the PV cell material may be directly deposited         on the light receiving layer (e.g., glass);     -   a PV cell; and     -   an integrated backsheet layer described herein.

With the layers or layer sub-assemblies assembled in desired locations the assembly process typically requires a lamination step with heating and compressing at conditions sufficient to create the needed adhesion between the layers and, if needed in some layers or materials, initiation of their crosslinking. If desired, the layers may be placed into a vacuum laminator for 10 to 20 minutes at lamination temperatures in order to achieve layer-to-layer adhesion and, if needed, crosslinking of the polymeric material of the encapsulation element. In general, at the lower end, the lamination temperatures need to be at least 120° C., preferably at least 130° C., preferably at least 140° C. and, at the upper end, less than or equal to 170° C., preferably less than or equal to 160° C.

The following experiments further illustrate the invention. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts and percentages are by weight.

EXPERIMENTS

Experimental multilayer sample films (layers indicated by letters, e.g., as A, B, and C), as summarized below in Tables below, were made using the thermoplastic resin materials summarized below in Table 1. The block composites (BC's) and crystalline block composite (CBC's) resins used in the experimental multilayer sample films are developmental materials prepared as described above and are summarized in Table 2. Where indicated, the Melt Flow Rates (MFR) are measured according to ASTM D1238 (230 C/2.16 kg) and Melt Index values (MI) are measured according to ASTM D1238 (190 C/2.16 kg).

TABLE 1 Resins Used in Examples Density Resin ASTM D792 Resin Product name Supplier MFR/MI (g/cc) PP 2 D118.01 PP Dow 8.0 MFR 0.900 Plastomer 1 AFFINITY ™ PL Dow 1.0 MI  0.902 1880G Plastomer 2 ENGAGE ™ Dow 5.0 0.870 8200 Plastomer 3 ENGAGE ™ Dow 30.0 0.902 8402

The block composites (BC's) and crystalline block copolymer composites (CBC's) below are developmental materials prepared as described above and are summarized in Table 2. They have the following general characteristics:

i) an ethylene-based polymer (EP) that is crystalline (CEP) in CBC's; ii) a propylene-based crystalline polymer (CPP) and iii) a block copolymer comprising

(a) an ethylene polymer block (EB) that is a crystalline ethylene block CEB in CBC's and

(b) a crystalline propylene polymer block (CPPB).

As also shown in Table 2, the BC or CBC samples are further characterized by the indicated:

-   -   Wt % PP—Weight percentage propylene polymer in the BC or CBC as         measured by HTLC Separation as described above.     -   Mw—the weight average molecular weight of the BC or CBC in         Kg/mol as determined by GPC as described above.     -   Mw/Mn—the molecular weight distribution of the BC or CBC as         determined by GPC as described above.     -   Wt % C2—the weight percentage of ethylene in the CBC or BC as         determined by NMR, the balance being propylene.

Tm (° C.) Peak 1 (Peak 2)—Peak melting temperature as determined by the second heating curve from DSC. Peak 1 refers to the melting of CPPB or CPP, whereas Peak 2 refers to the melting of CEB or CEP.

-   -   Tc (° C.)—Peak crystallization temperature as determined by DSC         cooling scan.     -   Heat of Fusion (J/g)—the heat of fusion of the BC or CBC         measured as described above.     -   Mol % C2—the mole percentage of ethylene in the ethylene block         or crystalline ethylene block component (iii)(a) (and also the         ethylene polymer component (1) of the BC or CBC), the balance of         comonomer in both cases being propylene.     -   Wt % CPPB in block copolymer—the weight percentage of         crystalline propylene polymer in the block copolymer component         (iii).     -   (C) BCI—the block composite index or crystalline block copolymer         composite index which reflect the content of the block         copolymer (iii) in the composition.

TABLE 2 CBC and BC Resins Used in Experimental Films Tm (° C.) Heat Mol Peak 1 of % C₂ Wt % Density Wt % Mw Mw/ Wt % (Peak Tc fusion in CPPB Resin MFR (g/cc) PP Kg/mol Mn C₂ 2) (° C.) (J/g) CEB in (iii) (C)BCI CBC 1 3.6 0.9055 13.2 146 2.8 46.7 130 97 126 93 50 0.729 (114) CBC 4 7.0 0.9052 14.2 128 4.0 46.9 132 91 97 93 50 0.707 (108) BC 5 4.1 0.8819 21.5 103 2.9 33.8 139 93 54 74 50 0.413  (40)

Several other commercially available additives and stabilizers were employed in the example film formulations:

-   -   White Color 1: Supplied by Ampacet Corporation as Ampacet 110456         masterbatch which contains 50% TiO2 in a 20 MI LLDPE carrier     -   White Color 2: Supplied by Ampacet Corporation as Ampacet 110443         concentrate which contains 50% TiO2 in a 8 MFR homopolymer         polypropylene     -   UV 1 & 2 (stabilizer) masterbatches: Produced by Dow Chemical         according to Table 3.     -   Vinyltrimethoxysilane (“VTMS”): Supplied by Dow Corning,         Xiameter OFS-6300 Silane     -   Peroxide: Supplied by Arkema, Luperox 101

TABLE 3 UV Stabilizer masterbatch formulations. All amounts are based on weight percent. Type of UV 1 UV 2 Component additive Supplier (Wt %) (Wt %) LDPE2 Resin Dow Chemical 89.5 PP2 Resin Dow Chemical 87.5 Cyasorb UV stabilizers Cytec Industries, 1.0 UV1164 Inc Cyasorb UV stabilizers Cytec Industries, 4.0 UV3853S Inc Cyasorb UV stabilizers Cytec Industries, 6.0 UV3853PP5 Inc Cyasorb UV stabilizers Cytec Industries, 2.0 UV3346 Inc Cyasorb UV stabilizers Cytec Industries, 2.0 UV3529 Inc Cyasorb UV stabilizers Cytec Industries, 3.0 THT7001 Inc Uvinul 5050H UV stabilizers BASF Corporation 2.0 Tinuvin 770 UV stabilizers BASF Corporation 1.0 Irganox 1010 Antioxidant BASF Corporation 0.75 0.25 Irganox 168 Antioxidant BASF Corporation 0.75

The films were prepared using the indicated processing conditions on a pilot scale cast film line using a standard type of feedblock configuration to produce 3 layers and providing the A layer side of the film against cast roll.

TABLE 4 Fabrication conditions for Experimental Cast Films Pilot Cast Line, Larkin 200 Midland MI Condition 1 Overall sheet thickness, mil (microns) 18 (457) Extruder (layers) A B C Layer thickness, mil (microns) 8.1 (206) 2.3 (58) 7.6 (193) Layer vol % 45 13 42 RPM 59 18 99 Feed zone, ° C. 166 193 202 Zone 2, ° C. 182 204 210 Zone 3, ° C. 188 216 216 Zone 4, ° C. 193 216 216 Transfer line, screen, adapters, ° C. 193 216 216 Feedblock, ° C. 216 Die, ° C. 216 Cast roll, ° C. 21 MiniCast Line, Larkin 200 Midland MI Condition 2 Overall sheet thickness, mil 28 (711) Extruder (layers) A B C Layer thickness, mil 18.2 (462) 2.0 (51) 7.8 (198) Layer vol % 65 7 28 RPM 41 25 99 Feed zone, ° C. 166 193 202 Zone 2, ° C. 182 204 210 Zone 3, ° C. 188 216 216 Transfer line, screen, adapters, ° C. 193 193 193 Feedblock, ° C. 210 Die, ° C. 210 Cast roll, ° C. 21

Silane grafted polyethylene is produced and added as a concentrate in Layer A. The final concentration of the polymers, peroxide and silane are given for films 1 through 4 in Table 5. The films are prepared and tested for their sealing and interlayer strengths. The two A (top) layers are sealed together by heat sealing at 204° C. for 10 seconds at 30 psi (207 kPa, 2.07 bar) pressure. The films are thus sealed as CBA-ABC. The sealed films 3 and 4 are then aged for two weeks in an oven that is maintained at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity. Sealing tests are performed on aged films by a peel strength test according to ASTM F88/8F88-09 for 180° peel at 23° C. on an INSTRON® tester (model 5500R) at 50 mm gap at a rate of 50 mm/min. Peel strengths are recorded in Table 6, below. For films exhibiting a delamination failure, the location of the delamination is noted and the sample is tested in the INSTRON tester in a similar manner but by peeling the film layers that are then separating by delamination. This second peel test is the interlayer adhesion strength test done at 23° C. The layers that delaminate are recorded along with their interlayer adhesion strength values.

In some cases, the entire film thickness breaks, as the only failure and there is no delamination failure observable. In those cases, all the interlayer adhesion strength values are clearly excellent but there is no interlayer adhesion strength value measurable or recorded.

TABLE 5 Summary of Experiment Cast Film Formulations 1 and 2 (given in wt %). Experimental Film No. 1 2 3 4* Layer # A B C A B C A B C A B C PP2 72 82 82 82 Plastomer 1 10 CBC1 80 CBC4 80 BC5 80 Plastomer 3 18.6 18.6 18.6 18.6 18.6 Silane 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 Peroxide 0.045 0.045 0.045 0.045 0.045 Plastomer 2 75.4 75.4 75.4 75.4 75.4 UV-1 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 UV-2 10 10 10 10 Color 1 20 20 20 8 8 Color 2 8 8 Fab Condition 1 2 2 2 *Comparative Experiment - not an example of the present invention.

TABLE 6 Peel test results Experimental Film No. 1 2 3 4* Seal-seal (A-A) peel Average seal strength, N/cm 64.6 73.7 59.7 13.8 Interlayer peel Percent of samples with no 100% 100% 100% 0% delamination Location of interlayer delamination — — — B-C Average interlayer strength of No No No  2.3 delaminating samples, N/cm delam delam delam

The film examples prepared according to the present invention all exhibit excellent interlayer strength. In comparative Experimental Film 4, the B layer is omitted, the encapsulant layer is applied directly to the bottom polypropylene layer and seal strength and interlayer adhesion are greatly reduced.

Miscellaneous

Unless stated to the contrary, implicit from the context, or customary in the art, all parts and percents are based on weight and all test methods are current as of the filing date of this disclosure. For purposes of United States patent practice, the contents of any referenced patent, patent application or publication are incorporated by reference in their entirety (or its equivalent US version is so incorporated by reference) especially with respect to the disclosure of synthetic techniques, definitions (to the extent not inconsistent with any definitions specifically provided in this disclosure), and general knowledge in the art.

The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate, and thus may include values outside of the range unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges include all values from and including the lower and the upper values, in increments of one unit, provided that there is a separation of at least two units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if a compositional, physical or other property or process parameter, such as, for example, molecular weight, viscosity, melt index, temperature, etc., is from 100 to 1,000, it is intended that all individual values, such as 100, 101, 102, etc., and sub ranges, such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200, etc., are expressly enumerated. For ranges containing values which are less than one or containing fractional numbers greater than one (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1, as appropriate. For ranges containing single digit numbers less than ten (e.g., 1 to 5), one unit is typically considered to be 0.1. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated, are to be considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure. Numerical ranges are provided within this disclosure for, among other things, density, melt index and relative amounts of components in various compositions and blends.

The term “comprising” and its derivatives are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step or procedure, whether or not the same is specifically disclosed. In order to avoid any doubt, any process or composition claimed through use of the term “comprising” may include any additional steps, equipment, additive, adjuvant, or compound whether polymeric or otherwise, unless stated to the contrary. In contrast, the term, “consisting essentially of” excludes from the scope of any succeeding recitation any other component, step or procedure, excepting those that are not essential to operability. The term “consisting of” excludes any component, step or procedure not specifically delineated or listed. The term “or”, unless stated otherwise, refers to the listed members individually as well as in any combination.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail through the preceding description and examples, this detail is for the purpose of illustration and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the invention as it is described in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multilayer film structure comprising a top encapsulation Layer A, a bottom Layer C and a tie Layer B between Layer A and Layer C, the multilayer film structure characterized in that Layer B comprises a crystalline block copolymer composite (CBC) or a specified block copolymer composite (BC), comprising: i) an ethylene polymer (EP) comprising at least 40 mol % polymerized ethylene; ii) an alpha-olefin-based crystalline polymer (CAOP) and iii) a block copolymer comprising (a) an ethylene polymer block comprising at least 40 mol % polymerized ethylene and (b) a crystalline alpha-olefin block (CAOB), or a mixture of said composite(s); and bottom Layer C comprises a polyolefin having at least one melting point greater than 125° C.
 2. A multilayer film structure according to claim 1 wherein the i) EP in tie Layer B comprises at least 80 mol % polymerized ethylene and the balance is polymerized propylene.
 3. A multilayer film structure according to claim 1 wherein the block composite resin in tie Layer B is a crystalline block composite resin.
 4. A multilayer film structure according to claim 1 wherein the tie Layer B block composite resin has a CAOB amount (in part (iii)) in the range of from 30 to 70 weight % of the CAOB.
 5. A multilayer film structure according to claim 3 wherein the tie Layer B block composite resin has a CAOB amount (in part (iii)) in the range of from 40 to 60 weight % of the CAOB.
 6. A multilayer film structure according to claim 1 where tie Layer B comprises a CBC having a CBCI of between 0.3 to 1.0 or a specified BC having a BCI of between 0.1 to 1.0.
 7. A multilayer film structure according to claim 1 wherein propylene is the alpha-olefin in ii) and iii) in tie Layer B.
 8. A multilayer film structure according to claim 1 wherein tie Layer B comprises a blend comprising greater than 40 weight percent CBC or specified BC.
 9. A multilayer film structure according to claim 8 wherein tie Layer B is a blend further comprising one or more polyolefin selected from an ethylene octene copolymer plastomers or elastomer, LLDPE and LDPE.
 10. A multilayer film structure according to claim 1 wherein the CBC or specified BC of Layer B has a melt flow rate of from 3 to 15 g/10 min (at 230° C./2.16 Kg).
 11. A multilayer film structure according to claim 1 in which the top encapsulation Layer A comprises an ethylene octene copolymer plastomers or elastomer.
 12. A multilayer film structure according to claim 11 in which the top encapsulation Layer A comprises a silane-graft containing ethylene octene copolymer.
 13. A multilayer film structure according to claim 1 in which the bottom Layer C comprises a propylene-based polymer.
 14. A multilayer film structure according to claim 13 in which the bottom Layer C comprises a propylene-based polymer having a heat of fusion value of at least 60 Joules per gram (J/g).
 15. A multilayer film structure according to claim 1 comprising a top encapsulation Layer A comprising a silane-graft-containing ethylene alpha olefin copolymer, a bottom Layer C comprising a propylene-based polymer and a tie Layer B between Layer A and Layer C comprising a crystalline block copolymer composite (CBC) comprising i) an ethylene polymer (EP) comprising at least 93 mol % polymerized ethylene; ii) a crystalline propylene polymer and iii)a block copolymer comprising (a) an ethylene polymer block comprising at least 93 mol % polymerized ethylene and (b) a crystalline propylene polymer block.
 16. A multilayer film structure according to claim 15 wherein tie Layer B is a blend further comprising one or more polyolefin selected from an ethylene octene copolymer plastomers or elastomer, LLDPE and LDPE.
 17. A multilayer film structure according to claim 1 having a thickness of from 0.2 to 1.5 mm wherein Layer A is from 0.15 to 1.25 mm in thickness; Layer B is from 10 to 150 μm in thickness; and Layer C is from 150 to 375 μm in thickness.
 18. An electronic device (ED) module comprising an electronic device and a multilayer film structure according to claim
 1. 19. An electronic device (ED) module comprising an electronic device and a multilayer film structure according to claim
 16. 20. A lamination process to construct a laminated PV module comprising the steps of: (1.) bringing at least the following layers into facial contact in the following order: (a) a light-receiving top sheet layer having an exterior light-receiving facial surface and an interior facial surface; (b) a light transmitting thermoplastic polymer encapsulation layer, having one facial surface directed toward the top sheet layer and one directed toward a light-reactive surface of a PV cell; (c) a PV cell having a light reactive surface; (d) a backsheet layer comprising a multilayer film structure according to claim 1; and (2.) heating and compressing the layers of Step (1.) at conditions sufficient to create the needed adhesion between the layers and, if needed in some layers or materials, initiation of their crosslinking. 